Endangered mountain sheep adapts back to nature

Endangered Anatolian mountain sheep, released to nature within the scope an ecological project in the central Anatolian province of Kırşehir, have successfully adapted to natural life, giving the authorities hope for new environmental projects for endangered species.

It was observed with the camera traps installed that the mountain sheep, which had been placed in their new habitats under the coordination of the Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP), and had been being followed for a year, were not harmed or died, and they got used to the living conditions, said the authorities.

The unusable fountains on Mount Kervansaray in Kırşehir, where they had been released, were made usable before the animals arrived.

Fodder and various materials had been left in certain areas for the animals that would have difficulty in finding food in the harsh winter conditions.

The moments when Anatolian mountain sheep ate the fodder left in the nature and the images showing they wandered around in a flock were also captured by the cameras.

"In order to be used in the monitoring of 28 mountain sheep placed in the field, data has been obtained for a period of up to six months from each of the six collars attached to the animals," said Hasan Tezer, the provincial director of DKMP in Kırşehir.

"Due to the interruption of the data or the falling of the collar, monitoring couldn't be performed with the collars."

For this reason, in the next monitoring and follow-up period, field observations and the number of camera traps will be increased, Tezer said.

"In order to keep the shepherd dogs under control, especially in the areas used by the mountain sheep during the birth period, studies will be focused on informing the herd owners...