|
January 6, 1994 is a starting point in the history of Ekopark that welcomed its first visitors on May 1, 2005. The Ecological Natural Park covers the territory of 40 000 m2 and is the first flora and herpetofauna (plant, reptile and amphibian) park establishment in the world.
Ekopark is a shelter for many plants and reptiles that are under danger of extinction. People unaware of the vulnerable structure of nature destroy millions of micro- and thousands of macro-organisms.
Thus, it triggered professor Selami Tomruk to create a new home for rare plants and reptiles and expose their unique beauty and importance to the public. Ten years of his hard but fruitful work resulted in the establishment of Ekopark in Tekirova, Antalya. All in all Mr. Selami Tomruk devoted 36 years of his life to studying reptiles and amphibians.
Professor Selami Tomruk was born on January 6, 1947 in Lüleburgaz, Turkey. He first dealt with snakes when he was six years old. In 1968, Mr. Tomruk started his research of anatomy of reptiles. He entered Sofia University in Bulgaria and majored in herpetology. In 1977, he continued his education at Vienna University in Austria. There he gathered a team and focused his research on reptiles of different continents in their habitats. He studied blood of reptiles and made an important contribution to the determination of sub-species. Thereafter he concentrated on studying the herpetofauna of Turkey.
His long-lasting research drove Mr. Tomruk at the idea of “ecopark” in order to protect the endangered amphibians and reptiles and thus to help herpetofauna that was getting rapidly exhausted.
Mr. Tomruk designed and carried out the project of Ekopark on May 1, 2005 in Tekirova, Turkey. Eko park is called to protect unique flora and herpetofauna that form up the universal ecosystem. The park provides a home for 360 thousand plants, 1,5 mln. cacti, a great many snakes, iguanas, crocodiles, turtles etc.
THE COLLECTION OF REPTILES includes native poisonous and non-poisonous species of snakes, chameleons and other reptiles and amphibians as well as exotic reptiles that were brought from different parts of the world such as: pythons, coral snakes, boa constrictors, anacondas, vipers, cobras, mambas, timber rattlesnakes, giant lizards, turtles and crocodiles.
PLANTS are represented by 360 thousand examples. Thousands of exotic plants, trees and shrubs were brought from tropical and subtropical zones of the world.
Ekopark implements the concept of alternative tourism offering high standard service on the one hand and preserving the endangered species both in Turkey and within the 36th northern and southern parallels on the other.
Information provided by the trained guides who accompany you during your visit, gives you an opportunity to know these wonderful animals better and to realize their importance in the global ecosystem.
Ekopark being a special institution, highlights the following issues to draw the attention of the community to:
• uncontrolled construction in the coastal areas
• chemical agriculture
• water pollution
• industrial wastes disposal
• wildlife destruction
• animal trade
• luxurious consumption
• unconsidered environmental policy
• upset of nature balance
Ekopark aims at protecting wildlife through bringing people and reptiles together and providing visitors with comprehensive information on flora and fauna available in the park.
Moreover, reptile and spider phobias are treated here. Ekopark also changed the very concept of a zoo as a place with animals in cages.
Thus, the plans of Ekopark for the near future include the following items:
• to open ekoparks in four main regions of Turkey;
• to establish the first reptile anatomy museum in the world;
• to found a database on biology in general and herpetology in particular;
• to construct coast aquariums connected with the Mediterranean for sea mammals;
• to establish a laboratory to enhance chromosome, keratin, toxin, DNA and morphological studies in herpetology;
• to create temporary reproduction areas for caretta caretta turtles;
• to enrich the flora in the nearby territory of 5000 ha that is to be rented from the state to provide habitat for the native wildlife (such mammals as: wild boars, wild goats, badgers, polecats, squirrels, foxes and bats; and such birds as: partridges, hawks, sparrow hawks, owls etc.)
Ekopark conducts training programs for primary school children during winter. It also provides help to the visitors who would like to get more detailed information.
We are aiming to go beyond national borders but to become the focus point of the world. Next year Ekopark will be the site for world pharmacology, biology and herpetology meetings to be held.
In the park, the issue of security is of primary concern. Well-trained and equipped medical staff is available upon request.
We are never late. We should bear in mind that the world we live in is a treasure that we have to pass to the following generations and to make all efforts to preserve and develop what has remained. Ekopark is a good example to follow.
We all have a right to live. Let’s return this right to those who have been deprived of it |
