The iconic seagulls which have lengthy symbolized Istanbul’s magnificence are actually dealing with a regarding situation as their inhabitants surges and threatens smaller fowl species within the Black Sea area. Environmental specialists from Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) have just lately reported an uncontrolled enhance within the seagull inhabitants, resulting in a decline in perching birds and potential disruptions to the native ecosystem.
Professor Şağdan Başkaya, Head of the Wildlife Ecology and Management Department at KTU, warned concerning the worrisome pattern. “Seagulls have become increasingly abundant in the Black Sea coastlines, displaying an insatiable appetite for perching birds. A single seagull can devour a bird half its size, leading to a sharp decrease in the perching bird population in these areas and posing a significant threat to the local ecosystem,” he defined.
As an invasive species, seagulls have tailored to human interplay and are identified to congregate in areas the place they will simply discover meals, akin to rubbish dumps and open rubbish bins. Sadly, this human interplay has unintentionally led to an exponential rise of their numbers, as individuals frequently feed them in varied neighborhoods.
“The seagull population has reached abnormal levels due to their unrestricted access to abundant food sources. Every household seems to have a seagull nest on its roof, which poses serious risks not only to the urban environment but also to the survival of other bird species,” Başkaya emphasised.
Experts have urged authorities to take speedy precautions to deal with the burgeoning seagull inhabitants and its potential penalties. Başkaya instructed adopting measures much like these used towards agricultural pests like wild boars to regulate their numbers. “Just as we regulate the population of wild boars through hunting, we need to consider similar approaches for seagulls and other species that could disrupt the balance of our local ecosystems,” he asserted.
If not addressed promptly, the unchecked progress of seagull populations might result in dire penalties for the nation’s wildlife and pure habitats. Environmentalists and conservationists have known as for collaborative efforts between the federal government, researchers and the general public to search out sustainable options that may shield each the enduring seagulls and the various avian species of the Black Sea shoreline.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
