Eid al-Adha is one of the two major religious holidays of the Islamic world, the other being Ramadan. I am on the last day of Eid al-Adha, which started a few days ago, and I would like to tell you about my visit to my village on the eve of Eid al-Adha. The purpose of my visit to the village on the eve is to visit the cemetery. Visiting our acquaintances who have lost their lives and praying for them is a journey we make at certain times without fail.
The distance between the city where I live and my village is close to an hour by car and the last 20 minutes of the journey is spent climbing towards the summit of the mountain where the village is located. The average temperature here in the summer season is 38-40 degrees Celsius. When you are under a scorching heat, you realise the value of water, one of the vital liquids, more.
When we were halfway through the journey, I saw a turtle trying to cross the road. When you are driving on an asphalt road, it is not very difficult to notice the movements on the road early. And as the journey progresses towards the village, it is not a surprise to see wild animals such as turtles, snakes, squirrels, pigs, as well as herd animals such as cows, goats, sheep and chickens. Drivers of vehicles are careful not to run over any of these animals except snakes, but when they come across snakes, they often try to run them over. The reason for this is that the number of people affected by snake bites in the neighbourhood is considerable. The surprising encounters of snakes and humans unfortunately end in blood!
In order to avoid a snake-like fate, I left the turtle on a dirt ground across the road it was trying to cross. I was surprised that it went on such an adventure at noon when the heat was very intense. Because there was no chance of finding food in the direction it was trying to go. He was trying to go towards a rocky and steep area. Under the pretext of passing the turtle, we took a break and tried to enjoy the environment for a short time.
We soon realised why the turtle was trying to cross the road. When the heat is intense, it is difficult for both domestic animals and wildlife to find water. The water source, in the form of a thin stream, was across the road and the turtle's goal was to drink from it. It was surprising that the water was across the road and the food suitable for the turtle was on the other side of the road. Presumably, the turtle repeats its journey to water and food throughout the day. When it wants water it crosses the road, when it wants food it crosses the other side of the road. This multiplies the number of inevitable surprising encounters.
During the dry summer season, together with a group of friends, we deliver water and food to predetermined points with the support of local authorities for the street animals in the city. This is a small activity we carry out in order to ensure their survival and to help them survive the dry summer season without any problems. I think water shortage is a bigger problem for wildlife during dry seasons.
I know this area quite well. There are not enough water sources and the ones that are there are quite far from each other. In the gardens where there are some water sources, it is not possible for all living creatures to reach because they are surrounded by wire fences. The water needs of large and small cattle are regularly met by their owners, but the water needs of wild animals are met spontaneously with small water streams and puddles like the one in the picture.
It is sad that there is a shortage of water for animals living in nature, far from human life and surprisingly beautiful. It should not be surprising that wild animals that cannot meet their needs in their own environment by nature enter settlements.
These content and pictures may show the struggle of animals in the wild to meet their need for water, the most important resource for life, or they may be ignored and pretend that there is no problem. Unfortunately, magnificent nature is not as magnificent as it seems, and it camouflages the struggle to harbour thousands of lives very well. Despite its mysteries and cruelty, it remains magnificent. The contradiction between marvellous and not marvellous is hidden within nature!
This article is intended for participation in the contest created in the Amazing Nature community. You can visit the thread to participate and learn the rules.
Amazing Nature Contest: Thematic Challenge - #11/2
All pictures and content belong to me. Pictures were taken with Samsung device.