Wild deer spotted in Gaziveren poses biological threat

An adult male wild deer, believed to have been smuggled into the island illegally, has been spotted in the Gaziveren and Aydınköy regions. Taşkent Doğa Parkı issued an emergency statement warning that the animal is currently in its mating season and is under high stress, making it potentially aggressive and dangerous to humans.

Beyond the immediate physical threat, authorities are concerned about significant biological risks. Because the animal has not undergone quarantine or veterinary inspection, there is a high risk of spreading deadly diseases such as Foot-and-Mouth disease, Blue Tongue, Brucellosis, and tick-borne infections. Such an outbreak could devastate local livestock and cause irreparable damage to the ecosystem.

Taşkent Doğa Parkı has called for an urgent joint operation involving the Veterinary Department, the Cyprus Turkish Veterinarians Association, the General Directorate of Police, and the Customs and Excise Department to ensure ecological security and protect both the public and the animal.