The judiciary has put the brakes on the hunting tender

Ezgi Can CEYLAN

A stay of execution has been granted in a lawsuit filed by the Eskişehir Ecology Association against the poaching of 16 red deer and 1 Anatolian wild sheep in Eskişehir and Kütahya . Association members interpreted the decision as a "reward for nature and the right to life," stating, "Wildlife is not for sale; this decision is a reward for nature and the right to life."

The General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks opened a tender on August 22 for the hunting of 16 red deer and one Anatolian wild sheep in their natural habitats in Kütahya and Eskişehir. The hunt price for the Anatolian wild sheep was set at 1.8 million Turkish Lira, while the price for the red deer was set between 180,000 and 440,000 Turkish Lira.

Following the announcement of the tender, members of the Eskişehir Ecology Association held a press conference in front of the Nature Conservation and National Parks Directorate, demanding its cancellation. The association members expressed their outrage by stating, "Wildlife is not for sale; you can't put a price on animals' right to life."

LEGALLY BLOCKED

Following the lawsuit, the court halted the execution of the tender. The Eskişehir Ecology Association, commenting on the decision, issued the following statement: “The state's duty is to protect nature and living creatures. This attempt to commodify wild animals through tenders has been legally blocked. This decision is a victory for all nature lovers.” The Eskişehir Ecology Association announced that they will continue their fight to have similar tenders canceled in other provinces.