A total of 12,800 flamingo chicks have hatched this year at Lake Tuz, Türkiye's second-largest lake, marking the highest number recorded in the past five years. Experts say increased rainfall has strengthened the breeding colony and expect spectacular scenes as the young birds begin flying in September and October.
Located in central Türkiye, within the provinces of Aksaray, Ankara and Konya, Lake Tuz is an endorheic (closed-basin) salt lake that supplies a significant share of Türkiye's salt production. During the summer months, it also serves as one of the country's most important breeding grounds for flamingos.
Each year, thousands of flamingos feed and nest at the lake, with the birds particularly favoring the southern section within the borders of Aksaray's Eskil district for breeding.
After several years in which drought threatened the lake's ecosystem, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum announced that 12,800 flamingo chicks had hatched this season–the highest figure recorded in the last five years.
Rainfall boosts population
