National Geographic to showcase Turkish wildlife

The world's leading nature network National Geographic will showcase the wildlife of Turkey's eastern region in a documentary film, the head of the Kuzey Doga (North Nature) Association has said.

Ecologist, ornithologist, a tropical biologist, and nature photographer Cagan Sekercioglu told Anadolu Agency a team of 17 people from National Geographic was involved in the shoot in Kars and Igdir provinces.

"We completed the shoot with a team of 17 people in four days of intensive work with special cameras and drones," Sekercioglu said.

According to Sekercioglu, who is also an associate professor at the University of Utah and Istanbul's Koc University, the film -- based on his research and studies -- will promote Turkey's wildlife on an international scale.

The Kuzey Doga Association was founded in January 2008 in Kars, as a result of the Kars-Igdir Biodiversity Project began in 2003 by Sekercioglu.

The group also focuses on projects investigating and protecting nature and wildlife in other eastern provinces such as Ardahan, Agri and Erzurum, besides Kars and Igdir.  

'To contribute to the promotion of the Eastern Anatolia'

According to Sekercioglu, he is the only "explorer" and "risk taker" of National Geographic regarding the wildlife in Turkey.

Sekercioglu's studies led to the tracking of seasonally migrating brown bears, the endangered Caucasian wildcat and hundreds of new bird spaces.

"I especially wanted to shoot here, not in Istanbul, so that it can contribute to the promotion of the Eastern Anatolia," he said.

He said the region had wonderful nature. "Luckily, after the snowfall, a magnificent view emerged [during shooting]."

Sekercioglu said the film would be aired in different channels across the world as the first film from Turkey as part of the National Geographic Explorers series.

"The film will also show the tourism potential of the region, especially nature and wildlife," he added.