IZMIR - Turkish scientists, during a study on the field, reached some information on the presence of the Caspian Tiger, which is thought to have gone extinct, as well as on the Anatolian Leopard, an endangered species.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)-Turkey finalized field studies called ''Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP) Biological Diversity Study'' which was initiated two years ago to determine natural riches of Turkey's southeastern region.
WWF-Turkey Project Coordinator Yildiray Lise told the A.A on Tuesday that during studies, they had interviewed people living in the region.
Noting that they would focus on presence of Caspian tigers as interviewees had told them they heard roars of tigers, Lise said, ''we mentioned it in detail in our reports. It does not prove that the Caspian Tiger and Anatolian Leopard survived but we think we should investigate it seriously. We will give the start for such an investigation this year or next year.''
The Caspian Tiger (Panthera Tigris virgata) and Anatolian Leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana) were two Felix species of Turkey.
World Conservation Society classifies Caspian Tiger as extinct and Anatolian Leopard as endangered.
The last record about Tiger in Turkey dates back to 1973, and that of Anatolian Leopard dates back to 1974.
WWF-Turkey's Anatolian Leopard Project investigates the presence and distribution of Anatolian leopard by field studies around Turkey.
(MS-ULG) 03.08.2004