15.06.2026 16:50
In an operation conducted at a house in Istanbul, illegally kept tarantulas, snakes, scorpions, iguanas, savannah monitors, parrots, water turtles, and African giant snails were confiscated. A fine was imposed on the individual.
Upon receiving a report that exotic animals were being illegally kept in a house in Istanbul, teams from the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, together with the police, seized numerous creatures in an operation.
OPERATION LAUNCHED FOLLOWING TIP-OFF
According to the information obtained, the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks teams initiated an investigation after receiving a tip-off that exotic species lacking the necessary permits were being kept at an address. An operation was carried out at the address with the participation of police teams.
During the inspections, numerous exotic creatures without the required permits were identified. Animals including tarantulas, snakes, scorpions, iguanas, savannah monitors, parrots, freshwater turtles, and African giant snails were confiscated.
CREATURES TAKEN INTO PROTECTION
While the seized creatures were taken under protection, administrative proceedings were initiated against the individual found to be keeping the animals without authorization, and a fine was imposed.
STATEMENT FROM NATURE CONSERVATION AND NATIONAL PARKS
In a statement made by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, it was stated: 'Our teams, evaluating a tip-off, conducted an inspection at an address in Istanbul together with law enforcement. During the checks, numerous exotic species without the necessary permits were identified. Creatures including tarantulas, snakes, scorpions, iguanas, savannah monitors, parrots, freshwater turtles, and African giant snails were confiscated. While the creatures were taken under protection, an administrative fine was imposed on the relevant person under Law No. 4915 on Terrestrial Hunting. We will continue to resolutely carry out our inspections regarding the unauthorized keeping of wild animals.'