48 
For more information about the important conservation work of DHKD write 
to PK 18, 80810 Bebek, Istanbul, Turkey. 
Turkey bans dancing bears 
The Turkish government has announced a welcome ban on the use of dancing 
bears forced to pose and dance with tourists for photographs. Any future 
visitors to Turkey who witness this activity are urged to contact WWF 
(UK), who are in touch with the authorities. 
Coastal survey for Sea Turtles 
Turkey's Aegean and Mediterranean coast were surveyed in 1988 for turtle 
nesting areas and threats to them. The survey was organised by Max 
Kasparek and Dr I. Baran (from the University of 9th September, Izmir) on 
behalf of WWF (UK) and WWF Germany. Forty-six students both from Turkey 
and Germany took part in the field work, results from which will be 
published shortly. The report, in addition to turtle information, will 
describe coastal habitats in general and the bird life. We hope to report 
further in the next bulletin. 
Slender-billed Curlew - Conservation Programme 
Adam Gretton, the co-ordinator for ICBP's project on the Slender-billed 
Curlew Numenius tenuirostris , has been very active since his appointment 
(see OSME Bull . 21: 38) and has established contacts throughout the 
bird's range as well as collecting and collating many past records. The 
few records in 1988, despite intensive survey efforts by many people, 
confirm the extreme rarity of the species. Up to four were seen in 
Morocco in January and February. A maximum of 30 individuals was reported 
on spring migration (5/3 - 24/4) in Yugoslavia and Greece in 1988. In 
autumn (14/8 - 19/9), a maximum of six was seen in Hungary, Yugoslavia and 
Greece, and three were seen in Morocco in December. There is also a 
report of five in North Yemen in November, for which details are awaited. 
The Evros delta in Greece is the most important known site in Europe for 
Slender-billed Curlew, but it is also seriously threatened. Discussions 
are taking place for the effective conservation of the delta. 
The status of the species in the Middle East remains unclear because of 
the very low coverage by birdwatchers. It is possible that there is a 
wintering population in the region, so any observations, both positive and 
negative, would be appreciated. In Turkey, the Goksu Delta, Buyuk 
Menderes, Tuz Golli and the Eregli Marshes are the most important passage 
sites, but surveys are required at all major wetlands. It is likely that 
the wetlands of eastern Iraq are used in winter, and it is hoped that it 
will be possible to visit the area; a reconnaissance visit may take place 
next winter. 
