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Four cygnets recently hatched at Kugulu Park, one of the most recognizable landmarks in Türkiye's capital, Ankara, are now being carefully monitored as part of a specialized feeding and care program designed to support their early development.
The cygnets are being kept in a separate section of the park away from the wider group of adult swans, a precaution taken by park staff to reduce the risk of the young birds being harmed while mingling with the larger population.
Kugulu Park, which sits within the heart of the city and offers residents and visitors a rare pocket of nature amid urban surroundings, is currently home to a total of 18 swans, made up of 14 adults and the four newly hatched cygnets.
At around one and a half months old, the cygnets continue to live alongside their parents in the designated section, allowing them to remain close to their family while still being protected from the rest of the flock.
To support healthy growth, the cygnets are fed a specially formulated feed developed to meet their nutritional needs at this early stage of life, alongside fresh green leafy vegetables such as lettuce.
Onur Yuksel, a specialist veterinarian with the Cankaya Municipality Veterinary Affairs Directorate, explained that the swans at Kugulu Park receive daily care each morning, with feeding routines adjusted according to the age of each bird.
The custom feed formulation used at the park is designed specifically to help the cygnets grow properly and healthily complete their physical development.
Since swans in the wild typically feed on green algae, park staff attempt to replicate a portion of this natural diet while also relying on leafy greens such as lettuce to supplement their nutrition.
Visitors play an important role in the swans' well-being. Processed foods like bread, simit, chips, and crackers, commonly consumed by humans, can be extremely harmful to the birds if fed to them.
Such foods can shorten the swans' lifespan, interfere with their reproductive activities, and negatively affect their overall development. Park visitors are urged to avoid feeding the swans anything beyond what park officials provide.
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