**End of the Road for the Wild, Free-Roaming Karpasia Donkey**
A new management initiative aimed at addressing the challenges posed by the free-roaming donkeys of the Karpasia peninsula has officially commenced. On Friday, authorities in the northern part of Cyprus began the process of collecting donkeys found outside designated zones as part of a comprehensive plan to relocate these animals into controlled reserves.
The initiative, coordinated by the wildlife research institute in the north, is designed to manage the donkey population more effectively. Under the new plan, captured donkeys will be transported to specially prepared facilities where they will undergo veterinary examinations. Each animal will be fitted with electronic microchips for monitoring purposes, and those requiring medical attention will receive necessary treatment before being moved to fenced areas.
Kemal Basat, the director of the natural park in the village of Vouno, emphasized that the primary goal of this initiative is to transition all free-roaming donkeys in Karpasia into managed environments. This approach aims to monitor their health and population dynamics more closely. A significant aspect of the program includes the sterilization of male donkeys, which is intended to mitigate uncontrolled breeding and reduce aggressive behaviors among the animals.
Basat pointed out that the increasing number of free-roaming donkeys has been detrimental to the Karpasia ecosystem. The donkeys have been known to damage endemic vegetation, agricultural crops, and water sources that are vital for migratory birds. Additionally, the presence of these animals has led to several road traffic accidents in the region.
The management plan, which began in 2023, is overseen by an eleven-member scientific committee comprising representatives from various public bodies, universities, and civil society organizations. Residents of the area have been encouraged to report sightings of donkeys, including the location, date, and time, to assist the collection teams as they continue their operations throughout the peninsula.
Earlier in the year, conservationists raised concerns about delays in funding that have hindered timely medical treatment for injured donkeys. Reports surfaced of a donkey that died from gunshot wounds, highlighting the urgent need for effective management and care of the population. The situation gained further attention when Ayios Symeon ‘mukhtar’ Rezvan Inlen called for the eradication of the donkeys, citing their destructive impact on crops and the livelihoods of farmers. His comments were met with strong backlash from animal welfare groups, who argued for a more humane approach to the issue.
Basat reiterated that the solution lies in structured management rather than harming the animals. He noted that simply providing food and water without addressing population control would exacerbate the existing problems, allowing the donkey numbers to continue rising unchecked.
As the implementation of the management program progresses, it remains to be seen how effectively the authorities can balance the needs of the local ecosystem, agricultural interests, and the welfare of the donkeys. The future of the free-roaming donkeys in Karpasia now hinges on the success of this initiative and the cooperation of the community in reporting sightings and supporting the management efforts.