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Turkish authorities seized 33 sugar gliders and 2 Arabian hares in an operation targeting illegal wildlife trade in the southwestern province of Isparta.
The General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks said law enforcement teams carried out searches at two separate addresses linked to a suspect.
Officials found animals whose undocumented sale and possession are banned under Turkish regulations.
In a statement shared on its social media account, the directorate said, "In searches conducted at two different addresses belonging to a suspect, 33 sugar gliders and 2 Arabian hares, whose undocumented sale and possession are prohibited, were seized. The confiscated animals have been taken into rehabilitation by our teams, and administrative action has been taken against the individual concerned.”
Authorities said the operation aimed to curb illegal wildlife trade.
The directorate noted that law enforcement teams seized “a large number of wild animals” during the intervention.
The sugar glider is a small, nocturnal marsupial native to Australia and parts of Indonesia. It has gained popularity in recent years in the exotic pet trade. The Arabian hare is a species found in parts of the Middle East.
Officials did not provide further details about the suspect or the scope of the administrative action. They confirmed that rehabilitation procedures for the seized animals are ongoing.
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