FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – The contentious issue of wild donkeys has returned to the spotlight following an accident involving a police vehicle in north Cyprus.
A wild donkey ‘suddenly jumped’ onto a main road, colliding with a police car en route to an incident. The donkey was killed in the crash, while a police officer sustained minor injuries and was taken to the Yenierenköy Health Center for observation.
Local residents expressed frustration, citing frequent accidents caused by wild donkeys, particularly at night. Citizens at the scene called for immediate action, stating, “Enough is enough, this donkey problem must be solved as soon as possible.”
In February, 14 wild donkeys, including a pregnant female, were discovered shot dead on the Karpasia Peninsula.
The animals were found during routine fieldwork by members of the Cyprus Wildlife Research Institute, and investigations indicated that they were shot at close range.
The Taşkent Doğa Parkı said the discovery was especially distressing because among the deaths was a pregnant female who was killed while in labor. Four men were later arrested in connection with the shootings.