Nicosia, Cyprus. Turkish Cypriot conservationist Kemal Basat issued an urgent appeal on Tuesday after an injured donkey died in the Karpass region days after being shot. Basat said rescue teams arrived to find the animal had already succumbed to its injuries.
Images and timing of the incident
Basat said images circulated on social media that day showed the donkey lying in severe pain, while evidence suggested it had been shot at least two days earlier. He described the death as part of escalating violence against free-roaming donkeys in the area.
Delays cited in response efforts
Basat said conservation teams were unable to intervene in time because administrative and financial approvals remained stalled despite repeated requests. He said budgets had not been released and that further details were requested again without a response from finance authorities.
Concerns over future funding and preparation
Basat said that even if funds are eventually approved, allocations for 2026 would still fall short of what is required to implement a comprehensive donkey management plan, and at least six weeks of preparation would be needed before any work could begin. He said he hoped progress could be made in the 2026 season after what he described as a lost year in 2025.
What steps do you think authorities should take to prevent further harm to free-roaming donkeys in the Karpass region?