No, owning an axolotl in Turkey is prohibited under the Regulation on the Protection of Wildlife and the Control of Trade in Wild Fauna and Flora (2023/12), enforced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, due to its endangered status in the wild. The species is listed in CITES Appendix II, requiring permits for trade, which are not issued for private ownership.
Key Regulations for Owning an Axolotl in Turkey
- CITES Compliance: Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are protected under CITES Appendix II, mandating import/export permits from the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks—permits for private ownership are denied.
- Domestic Trade Ban: The 2023 Wildlife Trade Regulation explicitly bans the sale, breeding, or possession of axolotls without special authorization, with violations punishable under the Environmental Law (2872).
- Endangered Species Protections: The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2021–2030) designates axolotls as a priority species, aligning with EU-like enforcement standards to prevent illegal trafficking.