The Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute reports that at least 14 wild donkeys, including a pregnant female, were discovered shot dead on the Karpasia Peninsula on the northern tip of Cyprus.
The animals were found during routine fieldwork by members of the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute, and preliminary investigations indicate that they were shot at close range.
Reaction online has been swift, with many people in Cyprus expressing horror at the slaughter.
The Taşkent Doğa Parkı said the discovery was especially distressing because among the deaths was a pregnant female who was killed while in labor.
Police and veterinary experts are looking into the slaughter. The donkey’s, which are protected by local wildlife legislation, are seen as emblematic of Cyprus.
The Karpasia donkeys roam freely in the Karpasia Peninsula.
They are descendants of domesticated donkeys that were left to roam wild after the Turkish invasion in 1974.
They are magnificent looking creatures, known for their resilience and adaptability to the rugged terrain of the peninsula.
There are two main breeds: a large dark-colored type with a pale belly, likely of European origin, and a smaller grey type of African origin.
These donkeys have become a symbol of the region and are often promoted as a tourist attraction.