Do not kill this beetle! The fine is 557 thousand TL
The stag beetle (Lucanus cervus), which is under protection as it is on the red list due to the risk of extinction, was caught on camera in the Feke district of Adana. Those who intentionally kill this rare species or engage in its illegal trade are fined 557 thousand 212 TL.
İHA
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The stag beetle, known to exist in the Amanos Mountains of Hatay in Turkey, which plays critical roles in ecological balance and is frequently mentioned in scientific studies, has appeared this time in a village house in the Feke district of Adana. Those who saw this creature, which is quite large and draws attention with its finger-thick antlers, were initially surprised. The local people call this interesting creature the "horned ant."
This species, which is a part of natural life, is important not only for its physical appearance but also for its function in the forest ecosystem. The work carried out by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks to protect the species and increase its habitats continues. The stag beetle helps decompose organic matter under the soil, ensuring the renewal of the soil; in this respect, it is practically nature's silent "farmer."
It is forbidden to harm this species, which is outside the usual beetle appearance with its antlers and large body, or to take it from nature without permission and trade it. The fine applied to those who do not comply with these rules is set at exactly 557 thousand 212 TL. On the other hand, the stag beetle has previously been kept as a pet in Japan, and some species have even been sold among collectors for astronomical figures ranging from 15 thousand to 100 thousand dollars.
LOCAL PEOPLE CALL IT 'HORNED ANT'
Emine Çağlar, who encountered this extraordinary beetle in the Feke district, stated the following:
"This beetle always comes to our house in the summer. We cannot hold it with our hands; it sticks to the hand firmly. Those who come from outside are afraid, but we villagers are used to it. It comes to the light more in the evening. We call it a 'horned ant.' It turns out its real name is the stag beetle. You should not harm such insects; you should love them, you should not kill them. They won't do anything to you. If it sticks to your hand, it won't let go easily, but you should release it into nature without hurting it."