52 Storks Die on Electric Poles in Istanbul's Küçükçekmece Lake Area

During their migration from Europe to Africa, a flock of storks stopped to rest on electric poles at the Küçükçekmece Lake Tahtakale site in Istanbul. Contact with the power lines caused electrocution, killing 52 birds and injuring five, which were taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment.

Local wildlife observers, including Fikret Can, warned that the area is a high‑risk zone for migrating storks, describing it as "the hell of the storks" and urging authorities and power companies to create safe roosting sites. Academic Çiğdem Demir Çelebi emphasized the need to protect the Yaren stork population and its juveniles. Calls have been made for coordinated action with the forest ministry and electricity providers to prevent further fatalities.