Welcome to our midweek round-up of the latest news and updates from Fethiye and across Turkey.
Curated from various news sources
Loggerhead turtle rescued from fishing line entanglement in Fethiye
A loggerhead sea turtle entangled in fishing line was rescued by firefighters in the Fethiye district of Muğla, Turkey, and safely released back into the wild, officials confirmed.
The turtle was spotted in distress in a canal in the Tuzla neighbourhood, where it had become ensnared in fishing line. Concerned residents who witnessed the incident promptly alerted authorities.
Firefighters from the local emergency services responded quickly. Using a ladder to access the canal, they were able to carefully free the turtle from the entanglement.
Following a health check, the loggerhead turtle was deemed fit for release and was returned to its natural habitat.
Loggerhead turtles are a protected species in Turkey, and incidents like this highlight the ongoing threats marine life faces due to human activity, including improperly discarded fishing gear. Authorities continue to urge the public to act responsibly and report wildlife in distress.
Source: https://www.sondakika.com/guncel/haber-fethiye-de-caretta-caretta-kurtarildi-18822243/
Fethiye Municipality Cleans Up Yeşil Vadi
Fethiye Municipality has carried out a thorough cleanup of the Yeşil Vadi recreation area in the Yanıklar neighbourhood, following growing concern over garbage accumulation in the popular natural spot.
The area, known for its cool waters and natural beauty, draws crowds during the summer months but was recently highlighted on social media for being littered with plastic, glass, and household waste.
In response, municipal cleaning teams were dispatched to the site, where they collected large volumes of waste and restored the area to a clean and welcoming state.
Municipal officials called on the public to show greater care for nature and the environment, reminding residents that littering is subject to administrative fines.
Protecting natural spaces like Yeşil Vadi is a shared responsibility, officials said, urging visitors to dispose of their waste properly and help preserve the beauty of the region for future generations.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiye-belediyesi-yesil-vadide-temizlik-yapti
Fethiye Municipality Fines 300 People in Crackdown on Environmental Pollution
Fethiye Municipality has taken firm action against environmental pollution, issuing administrative fines to 300 individuals for littering cigarette butts, garbage, and other waste in public areas. The initiative is part of a broader effort to curb pollution, particularly during the busy summer season.
Mahmut Bayraktar, Director of the Municipality’s Cleaning Services, announced that the fines were issued following comprehensive inspections supported by camera traps placed across the district. “The recent rise in pollution, especially in the summer months, required immediate action,” he said.
Bayraktar noted that while the municipality’s priority is not to penalise, enforcement has become necessary.
“Our goal is not to issue fines, but to protect the environment. Unfortunately, some citizens only begin to comply with the rules through fines. However, we aim to raise awareness and encourage voluntary participation.”
The fine for discarding cigarette butts is currently 2,953 TL, while fines for littering in gardens can range between 10,000 TL and 159,000 TL, depending on the scale and impact of the offence.
Bayraktar also highlighted a serious fire risk associated with littering, especially the improper disposal of glass bottles.
“Glass bottles can act like lenses and cause fires by reflecting sunlight. This is particularly dangerous in forested and high-risk areas like the Peninsula. We urge citizens to be more mindful.”
Fethiye Municipality plans to continue both enforcement and public education efforts to promote cleaner, safer public spaces.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiye-belediyesinden-cevre-kirliligine-gecit-yok
Muğla Forests on 24-Hour Watch
Muğla, one of Turkey’s most forested provinces with 67 percent forest coverage, remains under constant threat of wildfires. To prevent outbreaks, the Muğla Governor’s Office continues to issue warnings through audio announcements, visual media, and social media platforms. Gendarmerie and forestry teams are conducting 24-hour patrols in fire-prone areas across the province.
Despite a ban on entering forested zones, which is part of a broader set of fire prevention measures, teams from the Gendarmerie and the Muğla Regional Directorate of Forestry maintain ongoing surveillance. Joint patrols are equipped with binoculars to monitor the landscape, and teams are actively issuing on-the-spot warnings to citizens.
In a recent public notice, the Muğla Governor’s Office urged residents to remain vigilant, stating, “Together, we can extinguish fires. And before they even start. To protect our green homeland during this critical period: Do not burn stubble, do not throw cigarette butts on the ground, do not light fires in open areas, and do not leave glass bottles in nature. Remember, 86 percent of forest fires are caused by human activity. A moment of carelessness could lead to disaster.”
Authorities continue to emphasise that preventing wildfires is a shared responsibility and are calling on all citizens to follow the safety rules.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/mugla-ormanlarinda-24-saat-nobet
Forest Volunteer Motorized Patrol Team on High Alert in Fethiye
As forest fires continue to threaten various parts of Turkey, a motorized forest volunteer patrol team in Fethiye has stepped up efforts to prevent outbreaks and protect the region’s natural areas. The team, made up of 15 trained volunteers, is patrolling key forested areas day and night, warning residents and tourists about fire risks.
The patrol team consists of licensed athletes from Fethiye Ormanspor and members of the Turkish Motorcycle Federation, all of whom have undergone official training. Their patrol routes include the peninsula of Fethiye, Kayaköy, Darboğaz, Ovacık Hisarönü, Ölüdeniz, Babadağ, and Faralya. The team provides logistics, supply assistance, and support during periods of high fire risk, while also serving as an emergency response unit.
National athlete Serkan Özdemir is among the volunteers involved in the initiative. The team actively engages with locals and visitors, urging them not to light picnic fires or burn stubble, both of which are known causes of wildfires. As part of their efforts, they place water-filled canisters at strategic points along the roadsides to help ensure a rapid response if a fire does break out.
The Forest Volunteers motorized patrol team operates on a daily schedule, covering large stretches of forest across Fethiye. Their proactive work has been widely praised by residents, who view the initiative as an important measure in protecting the region’s environment and public safety.
Source: https://www.fethiyetv.com/fethiyede-orman-gonulluleri-motorize-devriye-ekibi-teyakkuzda
Missing British Tourist Found Dead After Three-Day Search in Muğla
Joseph Alexander Gıffor, a 79-year-old British national who went missing on 26 July in the Dalyan neighbourhood of Ortaca, has been found dead in the Çandır neighbourhood of nearby Köyceğiz following an extensive three-day search operation.
Mr Gıffor, who was visiting the region on holiday, had set out alone by boat on the morning of 26 July to explore the historic Kaunos rock tombs via the Dalyan Canal. After reportedly crossing to Çandır, he was not seen or heard from again.
His disappearance prompted immediate concern when his daughter alerted the 112 Emergency Call Centre. In response, search efforts were launched by teams from Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), the Gendarmerie, and several local non-governmental search and rescue organisations.
After three days of intensive searching across the area, Mr Gıffor’s body was discovered in the Çandır neighbourhood of Köyceğiz. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Local officials expressed their condolences to Mr Gıffor’s family, and arrangements are now being made to repatriate his body to the UK.
Source: Tourism Today
Ancient Statue of Marcus Aurelius Returned to Turkey After 65 Years
An ancient bronze statue believed to depict Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius has been returned to Turkey from the United States, 65 years after it was illegally smuggled out of the country, Turkish authorities announced on Saturday.
The statue, looted in the 1960s from the ancient city of Boubon, located in present-day Burdur Province in southwestern Turkey, was repatriated following close cooperation between Turkish and US authorities.
Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy hailed the return as a major victory, stating:
“It was a long struggle. We were right, we were determined, we were patient, and we won. We brought the ‘Philosopher Emperor’ Marcus Aurelius back to the land where he belongs.”
The statue had most recently been on display at the Cleveland Museum of Art between April and July. According to Ersoy, its return was secured through a combination of scientific analysis, archival research, and witness testimony.
Ersoy praised the collaboration with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and US Homeland Security Investigations, describing the effort as a historic success.
“Through the combined power of diplomacy, law and science, the process we conducted is more than just a repatriation; it is a historic achievement,” he said.
The return of the statue is part of Turkey’s broader initiative to recover its cultural heritage, particularly artefacts that were illicitly taken from the country in past decades.
Minister Ersoy announced that the statue will soon be presented to the public in Ankara through a special exhibition, details of which are to be revealed soon.
Source: https://turkishminute.com/2025/07/19/ancient-statue-returns-to-turkey-after-65-years-in-us/
