PodcastFlamingos' migration in Turkish Mediterranean at risk due to drought
Flamingos migrating along Turkey's Mediterranean and Aeagean coasts are a beautiful sight to watch, but risk losing stops along their route because of severe drought. Seyfe Lake and Acıgöl Lake are two of the locations where water levels have been dropping as a result of extensive water retention policies.
A flock of flamingos were seen in the Çakalburnu Lagoon of western İzmir, one of the two breeding grounds for the birds in Turkey, on Jan. 11.
Although some 20,381 flamingo babies were reportedly born in central Anatolian Lake Tuz ("salt lake" in Turkish), flamingos are among the species whose populations are being monitoring by the Turkish Environment and Urbanization Ministry.
Central Anatolian Lake Tuz is reported to be the largest natural breeding land for flamingos, and also home to hundreds of other bird species.
Near Çakalburnu Lagoon, Acıgöl Lake's water levels have been falling at an alarming rate, risking flamingos losing a spot on their migration route along the Mediterranean and Aegean coasts.