29.06.2025 15:00
The partridges, which are the number one enemy of ticks, are bred in Afyonkarahisar and released into the wild. Since 2009, the station has produced 137,000 chukar partridges and nearly 40,000 grey partridges, making it the only facility in Turkey that produces grey partridges. This year, 9,000 chukar and grey partridges will also be released into the wild soon.
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A further step is being taken in the fight against ticks, which have started to be seen frequently in many regions of Turkey and have caused loss of life.
In the Keklik Breeding Station in Şuhut district of Afyonkarahisar, hundreds of partridges are released into nature each year for the fight against ticks and pests in designated provinces. Kemal Can, the Regional Director of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP) 5th Region, stated that since its establishment in 2009, the Şuhut Keklik Breeding Station has produced red-legged and spotted partridges.
"THE ONLY FACILITY PRODUCING SPOTTED PARTRIDGES IN TURKEY"
Emphasizing that a total of 137,000 red-legged and 39,600 spotted partridges have been produced at the station so far, Can said, "Our General Directorate of DKMP has programs according to the years. We are the only facility producing spotted partridges in Turkey. As a result of the field studies of our regional directorates, they make proposals to our General Directorate of DKMP. As a result of the evaluation, the partridges we produce are released into nature in various parts of our country."
"WE CLOSE THE PLACES WE RELEASE FOR HUNTING FOR 3 YEARS"
Can noted that this year, the production of 6,000 red-legged and 3,000 spotted partridges is planned, and added: "Spotted partridges are generally released in Çanakkale, Yalova, Bursa, and Tekirdağ, while red-legged partridges are mostly brought together with nature in Denizli, Muğla, Manisa, and Afyonkarahisar. Locations close to water are generally preferred for the release of partridges. We close the places we release for hunting for three years. We aim for the partridges to settle and breed there. We also ask our hunters to comply with this issue."
"THEY FEED ON INSECTS LIKE PESTS AND TICKS"
Can stated that the purpose of the DKMP General Directorate in producing and releasing partridges into nature is to support the ecosystem and ensure the continuity of the species. Highlighting that partridges are an important species in terms of biological control in nature, Can concluded his remarks as follows: "This is also due to the feeding habits of partridges. Partridges generally feed on plants and insects. Especially during the fledgling period, they need to be fed more with protein. They feed more on insects, such as pests and ticks. This makes the bird effective in terms of biological control. The more birds that eat insects in nature, the more they prevent those insects from creating a pandemic and spreading. Therefore, partridges are used in biological control."
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