SHOTLIST SILIFKE DISTRICT, MERSIN, TÜRKİYE (APRIL 23, 2025) (ANADOLU – ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS DRONE SHOTS OF GOKSU DELTA SILIFKE DISTRICT, MERSIN, TÜRKİYE - APRIL 23: Stunning aerial images of the Goksu Delta, a pristine wetland in southern Türkiye, were captured by an Anadolu drone on Wednesday, April 23, highlighting its ecological significance and natural beauty. Located on the coastal plain formed by the Goksu River, south of Silifke district in Mersin province, the delta lies at the foothills of the Central Taurus Mountains. The area is a unique mosaic of habitats shaped over centuries by the river’s shifting path as it meets the Mediterranean Sea. The Goksu Delta is an essential spawning ground and a biodiversity hotspot, home to diverse flora and fauna. Recognized for its ecological importance, it was added to the Ramsar Convention’s list of wetlands of international importance in 1994 and designated as a first-degree natural protected area in 1996. The delta is a critical stopover for migratory birds, hosting thousands of rare species along the Levant migration route. It is also one of Türkiye’s 18 Special Environmental Protection Areas, covering 228.5 square kilometers—approximately 0.03% of the country’s protected zones. The International Council for the Protection of Birds (ICBP) has declared the Göksu Delta one of the most important bird sanctuaries in the Middle East and Europe. Additionally, the area serves as a breeding ground for endangered Caretta Caretta and green sea turtles in the Mediterranean. Spanning 15,000 hectares, the delta features a dynamic mix of channel deposits, floodplain sediments, beach sands, and dunes, formed by clay, silt, sand, and gravel.