ISTANBUL, June 21 (Xinhua) -- Türkiye plans to release 51,000 birds into the wild this year as part of a nationwide wildlife restocking and agricultural pest control program, bringing the total number of birds released over the past decade to around 1 million, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said on Sunday.
According to the minister, the initiative by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will release 39,250 partridges and 11,750 pheasants across 156 locations in 62 provinces.
Yumakli added that the project aims to support biodiversity while combating agricultural pests, including ticks and the invasive brown marmorated stink bug.
The releases will be carried out by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, which operates breeding stations for partridges and pheasants in multiple cities across the country.
Local media Türkiye Today said that the program has expanded steadily in recent years. In 2025 alone, 36,250 partridges and 9,000 pheasants were released. ■
