TRNC Swimmer to Hold 24-Hour Swim on March 8 to Protest Donkey Killings in Karpas

Renowned Turkish Cypriot athlete Kemal Elektrikçi will undertake a 24-hour swim on March 8, International Women’s Day, to protest the recent mass killing of donkeys in Karpas.

The event will begin at 6:00 AM on March 8 at the Atatürk Indoor Swimming Pool, with lifeguard Bekir Yemen ensuring safety, and will conclude at 6:00 AM on March 9.

Elektrikçi had originally announced his plan for the endurance swim on January 10. However, following the horrific events in Karpas last weekend, he decided to dedicate the event to the memory of the slaughtered donkeys. He emphasized that his initiative aims to raise awareness about environmental protection and animal rights.

Last weekend, unknown perpetrators brutally gunned down a herd of stray donkeys, killing at least 14. Among the victims was a pregnant donkey, shot in the middle of giving birth. Reports indicate that the animals were executed at close range with a shotgun.

Following the gruesome discovery, police launched a large-scale investigation. According to an official statement, the killings took place around 4:00 PM on Sunday, roughly 500 meters northwest of the Dipkarpaz landfill.

The President of Northern Cyprus has personally taken charge of the case.