'Anatolian lion' receives promotion

A sculpture of the Aksaray Malakl?s?, a dog breed known as the Anatolian lion, has been erected in the Central Anatolian province of Aksaray. 

The fame of Aksaray Malakl?s? has been on the rise in recent years in Turkey and abroad, prompting the local municipality to initiate new work to promote the dog breed in Turkey and abroad. 

A two-by-three-meter sculpture has been placed in the Otogar Crossing on the Aksaray-Konya highway, one of the most important spots in the city. 

Also, Aksaray Municipality will open the Aksaray Malakl?s? Protection and Care Center in March to help care for members of the breed, with 50 dogs set to be sheltered at the center initially.

Aksaray Mayor Haluk ?ahin Yazg? said Aksaray Malakl?s? dogs had very unique features.

"These dogs were not known much in the past. Our purpose is to promote them. This is why we have established the Malakl? farm. We also erected the sculpture to draw the attention of local and foreign tourists visiting the city," Yazg? said.Photos show devastation after Turkey ends two-month anti-PKK operations in CizreIn Photos: Nature in Turkey's Artvin enchants against efforts to mine gold from its mountainsIn Photos: Turkish police intervene against locals protesting mining efforts in ArtvinIn photos: Turkey commemorates Rumi with 'Night of Union' ceremony in KonyaIn Photos: Ta?yaran Valley in Aegean region to become nature parkPictures released by the Armed Forces depict destruction in southeastern Sur amid clashes, curfewIn Photos: Marks of violence visible across Nusaybin after lifting of curfewIn Photos: Turkey celebrates Christmas Eve with services In Photos: Turkey provides assistance in rare UN-backed swap dealHürriyet's Sebati Karakurt photographs Diyarbak?r's Sur amid...