Turkey farmer Hamza Kaya cools 55 camels and cattle in Diyarbakır creek

Hamza Kaya, a 50‑year‑old livestock farmer from the rural Yaytaş area of Diyarbakır’s Newşehir district, has been raising camels and cattle for about four decades. During the hot summer months he leads his herd of 55 camels and cows to the Devegeçidi Creek each day, where they spend roughly four hours in the water to cool down, as camels lack sweat glands and cannot tolerate dehydration.

Kaya said the camel milk is richer in fat – about 8 % higher than cow’s milk – and he processes it into yogurt and cheese that he sells in the city. He noted that the state provides support that helps sustain his demanding operation.