SHOTLIST VAN, TÜRKİYE (APR. 16, 2025) (ANADOLU-ACCESS ALL) 1. DRONE SHOTS OF VAN CAT CAGE-LIKE SHELTER AT VAN CAT RESEARCH AND APPLICATION CENTER (TWO SHOTS) 2. VAN CATS AT CENTER, VISITORS PETTING CATS 3. CLOSE-UP OF VAN CAT WITH SNOW-WHITE FUR AND STRIKING EYE COLORS -BLUE AND GREEN- 4. TODDLER AND MAN STANDING NEXT TO CATS’ PLAYGROUND AT CENTER 5. TIGHT SHOT OF VAN YUZUNCU YIL UNIVERSITY STUDENT SEVVAL SENTURK PETTING CAT 6. WOMAN AND CHILD IN CAGE, MAN FEEDING CATS 7. VARIOUS CLOSE SHOTS OF CATS 8. CATS DRINKING WATER FROM SMALL POOL IN CAGE (TWO SHOTS) 9. TIGHT SHOT OF CAT SITTING 10. VISITOR WOMAN SPEAKING TO MICROPHONE, SAYING “I came from Kocaeli [Turkish province] to see Van cats.” 11. A FAMED VAN CAT WHO CAPTURED HEARTS AFTER WINNING A PRESTIGIOUS BEAUTY COMPETITION “SU” STANDING NEXT TO HER NEWBORN KITTENS SLEEPING IN BOX 12. CLOSE-UP OF KITTENS CUDDLING AND SLEEPING 13. SU SITTING NEXT TO KITTENS 14. CLOSE-UP OF KITTENS CUDDLING AND SLEEPING 15. SU ON GRASS AT YARD (two SHOTS) 16. (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF THE VAN YUZUNCU YIL UNIVERSITY KNOWLEDGE TRANSFER APPLICATION AND RESEARCH CENTER, DR. MEHMET SIRIN DEMIR, SAYING: "According to some speculative claims, the original homeland of Van is believed to be Buntamara. However, this theory lacks concrete scientific evidence. Another thesis suggests that Van cats are a spontaneously occurring breed that developed naturally in cold climates. These regions today include parts of Türkiye, Iran, and Russia. What’s worth highlighting about Van cats is the mission of the Van Cat Research and Application Center. The center is dedicated to protecting this diminishing breed, which holds a unique place in the world’s fauna. Its goals include conducting scientific breeding studies, ensuring the production and preservation of purebreds, addressing genetic and acquired health issues, uncovering the breed’s genetic traits, and training researchers—particularly in the field of veterinary sciences. Additionally, the center aims to promote global recognition of Van cats and support the folkloric and socio-economic values of the region by safeguarding this important genetic heritage.” 17. (SOUNDBITE) (English) VAN YUZUNCU YIL UNIVERSITY STUDENT SEVVAL SENTURK SAYING: “I’m a student at Yuzuncu Yil University, and we’ve been visiting this place since our very first day here. It’s not just us—tourists who come to the city also make sure to stop by and see the cats. One of the most popular cats here is Mia. She’s really well-loved among us. Su won first place at the International Happy Cats Beauty Contest held in Istanbul back in 2019, representing the Van Cat Research and Application Center. She recently gave birth to five purebred kittens, and everyone here is eager to see her and admire her beauty.” 18. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) RECTOR OF VAN YUZUNCU YIL UNIVERSITY, PROF. DR. HAMDULLAH SEVLI, SAYING: “The Van cat is not only known in Van but throughout Türkiye and even across the world” 19. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) RECTOR OF VAN YUZUNCU YIL UNIVERSITY, PROF. DR. HAMDULLAH SEVLI, SAYING: “Of course, this place is also a major tourist attraction in Van. The Van Cat Villa at Van Yuzuncu Yil University is one of the most frequently visited sites in the city.” 20. (SOUNDBITE) (Turkish) RECTOR OF VAN YUZUNCU YIL UNIVERSITY, PROF. DR. HAMDULLAH SEVLI, SAYING: “That’s why many foreign visitors and tourists come to see the Van cat. We’ve always known how beautiful our Van cats are, but now their beauty has been recognized in international competitions. Last year, she gave birth to three kittens, and this year, she had five. Today, we came to visit her new litter.”VAN, TÜRKİYE - APR. 16: Su, a famed Van cat who captured hearts after winning a prestigious beauty competition, has given birth to five adorable kittens at the Van Cat Research and Application Center, located at Van Yuzuncu Yil University in eastern Türkiye. Known for her snow-white fur and striking eye colors, Su rose to fame after winning the top prize at the International Happy Cats Competition in Istanbul in November 2019. Her unique traits—especially her love for swimming and affectionate temperament—have made her a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Born just weeks ago, Su’s new litter is already stealing the spotlight, drawing crowds eager to meet the next generation of this rare and celebrated feline breed. The Van cat, native to Türkiye’s eastern province of Van, is famous for its heterochromatic or dichromatic eyes—often featuring mesmerizing combinations of blue, amber, green, or yellow. The Van Cat Research and Application Center—affectionately known as the “Van Cat Villa”—has been working to preserve this iconic breed since its establishment in 1995. The center provides a controlled environment for the cats and plays a key role in breeding, genetic research, and conservation efforts. "We’ve been coming to the center for years," said Sevval Senturk, a student at the university. "Everyone wants to see Su and her beauty.” Visitors to the center are also greeted by “Mia,” another champion Van cat who previously won the same international beauty contest as Su. The cats remain a major attraction, especially during the spring birth season. Dr. Mehmet Sirin Demir, Director of the university’s Knowledge Transfer Application and Research Center, highlighted the breed’s resilience and rich history. “The Van cat is a naturally occurring breed adapted to cold climates. It originated in regions now within Türkiye, Iran, and Russia,” he said. The breed’s historical significance is underscored by depictions of Van cats found in ancient Hittite jewelry and Roman artifacts. Yet despite their deep roots and growing fame, the Van cat population has declined in recent years due to genetic challenges—making conservation efforts at the center even more critical. This year alone, 42 Van cats at the center gave birth to 66 kittens, a testament to the success of its breeding and preservation programs. “The Van cat is not only known in Van but throughout Türkiye and even across the world,” said Prof. Dr. Hamdullah Sevli, Rector of Van Yuzuncu Yil University. “Its beauty has been officially recognized in global competitions. Many foreign tourists visit our center just to see them.” As Su and her newborns settle in under the care of the center, visitors continue to flock to the Van Cat Villa—drawn by the magic of this enchanting breed and its growing legacy. Van cats, distinguished by their unique traits and various eye colors, are significant assets of the city and attract attention from both local and international tourists. Reporting by Emre Ilikan Writing by Sibel Uygun