Nemrut Dağı National Park: Two foreigners caught collecting live locusts

Two foreign nationals were apprehended while illegally collecting 16 live locusts in Nemrut Dağı National Park, Adıyaman. The operation, conducted by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks alongside local police, resulted in a fine of 1.4 million lira imposed on the suspects. The seized locusts were subsequently released back into their natural habitat.

Professor Ali Satar from Dicle University's Zoology Department noted that the collection of live specimens, specifically large carnivorous locusts measuring up to 25 centimeters, suggests potential unauthorized genetic research. Satar warned that such activities may constitute biopiracy, which involves the unauthorized removal of a country's biological or genetic resources. He emphasized the importance of reporting suspicious activities to security forces to prevent the illegal export of biological materials.