Customs enforcement teams in Turkey seized 58,519 live animals during 29 operations throughout 2026, according to the Turkish Ministry of Trade.
The Ministry of Trade stated that its enforcement teams perform the duty of protecting all kinds of living beings and natural life, alongside combating smuggling and protecting the national economy.
Seizure locations and species
Unverified reports indicate that at Istanbul Airport, 51,065 live animals were caught, consisting of 46,420 medical leeches and 4,000 leeches.
Unverified reports indicate that at land border customs gates, the highest number of live animals seized was 6,300 broiler chickens at the Çobanbey Customs Gate.
Other specific seizures included 450 bees at the Sarp Customs Gate and 350 sheep and goats at the Akçakale Border Gate.
Handling of seized animals
Seized live animals are delivered to the units of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. At veterinary border control points, personnel from the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry examine the animals and prepare a report before delivering them to relevant provincial units.
If species or parts of species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are identified as smuggled, they are delivered to the regional directorates of the Turkish General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, in accordance with regulations pursuant to the Anti-Smuggling Law.
Total number of live animals seized in 29 customs operations in 2026.
