Nearly 300,000 Lira Raised in One Day for the Care of Karpas Donkeys

A fundraising campaign in Northern Cyprus has raised nearly 300,000 Turkish lira in just 24 hours to support the care of stray donkeys in the Karpas region. The annual cost of caring for a single donkey is estimated at 200 euros.

The campaign was launched by the Taşkent Nature Park under the initiative "Symbolic Donkey Adoption." According to the park’s director, Kemal Basat, the initiative has gained significant public attention. Donations have played a crucial role in protecting and caring for these homeless animals.

"In just one day, our symbolic donkey adoption campaign has raised a total of 292,532 Turkish lira. This means that in a single day, we have secured the care of 38.5 donkeys. It’s an incredible achievement in such a short time," Basat wrote on social media.

Previously, Hasan Sarpten, a board member of the Biologists’ Association, estimated that caring for one donkey costs around 200 euros per year. With consistent funding, he suggested the issue could be resolved within a decade.

The campaign follows a tragic incident last weekend, when a group of stray donkeys was brutally shot by unknown perpetrators. At least 14 animals were killed, including a pregnant donkey that was fatally shot while giving birth.

The dead animals were discovered around 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, approximately 500 meters northwest of the Dipkarpaz landfill. The incident sparked widespread public outrage. In response, police launched a full-scale investigation, now under the direct supervision of the head of Northern Cyprus. Initial findings indicate that the donkeys were shot at close range with a hunting shotgun.