Flamingos return to Tuzla Palas Lake after decades

KAYSERİ

Flamingos have made a surprise return to Tuzla Palas Lake in the central province of Kayseri after decades —  a welcome revival made possible by months of heavy rainfall that has significantly enlarged the lake. 

Located within the borders of Sarıoğlan district, Tuzla Palas Lake, classified as a strictly protected sensitive area, has seen its surface area grow to 30 square kilometers following heavy snowfall and rainfall, according to data from the Kayseri Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.

Known for its rich biodiversity and as a vital habitat for bird species to rest, breed and feed, the lake has begun hosting flamingos, locally known in Anatolia as “allı turna,” once again after many years, thanks to rising water levels.

Situated along a major migration route, the area is home to 213 identified bird species, including flamingos as well as ruddy shelducks, cranes, teals, sandpipers, plovers and terns.

Murat Özdemir, head of the Palaslılar Social Culture and Solidarity Association, said the return of flamingos after more than 40 years signals a revival of wildlife in the region.

Stating that he had never seen flamingos in the area before, Özdemir said, “We finally had the chance to see flamingos — symbols of love, beauty and elegance — which we had only heard about from our grandparents and fathers and thought we would never witness ourselves.”

“Flamingos were a legend for us until this year, because our elders used to tell us that they once lived here. Due to water shortages in the basin over the past 40 years, they had not come. But this year, they have flocked to the area,” he said.

“This shows that the basin has regained the ecosystem it had 40 years ago. As their feeding areas have expanded, we are hosting them here again after many years.”

Özdemir added that local residents work to help flamingos spend more time in the region, including opening channels to direct water that could not previously reach the lake.