Kardak Tourism are the main sponsors for the environment in and around Dalyan. The town exists along a freshwater river which meanders its way to Iztuzu Beach and the sea.

The Dalyan Delta is a rich area of flora and fauna. The freshwater river is home to the Trionyx triunguis freshwater turtle, crabs, grey mullet, sea bass, sea brim, trout, eel, and many other fish. There are also many species of bird that make their nests amongst the reeds.

Iztuzu Beach and the Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) turtle
Iztuzu Beach is one of the last nesting places available for the Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) turtle and it is now a protected site. The name loggerhead comes from its particularly large head, which can be as wide as 25cm. Loggerhead's are among the biggest marine turtles. Adults weigh up to 180kg and grow to over 1m long. They have a reddish-brown carapace and characteristically short fore flippers. They are mainly carnivorous throughout their lives. Their large heads are equipped with powerful jaw muscles, which allow them to crack into the toughest prey, such as crabs, mussels and clams, which they hunt on the seabed.

The loggerhead is listed as endangered. They are threatened by tourism development at the nesting beaches and by capture in marine fisheries. Through the summer season the nesting areas of Iztuzu Beach are restricted to allow for the turtles to lay there eggs and for the young to hatch safely.

Dalyan Delta and Trionyx triunguis freshwater turtles
The Dalyan Delta is a massive freshwater area separated by reed beds forming a network of small lakes and waterways. These reed beds rise to between 3 and 5 metres in height. One of the main occupants of the Delta are the Trionyx triunguis freshwater turtle. These creatures can grow up to 1.20m in length with a flattened, pancake-shaped shell covered with a thick, leathery skin. They have a snorkel-like snout and flippers, each with 3 massive claws. They mainly feed on fish, worms, molluscs, crabs and carion. The Trionyx can stay up to 15 hours under water without surfacing by using their lungs as well as absorbing oxygen from the water through their skin (coutaneous respiration).

The Mediterranean subpopulation is critically endangered (IUCN Red List in 1996), only holding approximately 1000 adults. These turtles have a Special Protection Order in the Dalyan Delta.

New Solar Power Boat for Dalyan and Turkey
As part of our commitment to protecting the environment around Dalyan, we are now working hard to create the first solar powered boat for Dalyan and Turkey. Using one of our normal river boats we are exchanging the diesel engine for an electric engine powered by solar panels. With the help of experts from Germany in the solar power field we plan to have our first solar powered boat ready for the 2005 summer season.

Our main aim of this project is to preserve the waterways of the Dalyan Delta from diesel polution, giving the Caretta Caretta turtles, the Trionyx triunguis fresh water turtles, birds, fish and the flora a healthy and safe living environment.