The first group of flamingos came to Van Lake
Van Lake Basin in Turkey is home to hundreds of bird species, including flamingos. The lake basin, which includes Erçek Lake and other wetlands, provides half of the accommodation and breeding areas for 453 bird species. Flamingos, which migrate from Iran's Urmia Lake, arrive in mid-April and stay in the Basin until November. They then migrate to Africa and later return to the Caspian and Urmia Lakes. This year, more flamingos arrived compared to last year, with some turning up as early as February due to the mild climate. Prof. Dr. Lokman Aslan, Director of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University's Wild Animal Protection and Rehabilitation Center, said that flamingos are still able to find food in the Basin, despite the effects of global warming and climate change. Aslan added that Van Lake's rich wetlands and unspoiled natural structure make it an attractive habitat for wild animals.
