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Medicinal Leeches: Assessment Of Ecological And Economical Situations in Turkey
Bahadır UĞURAL1, Ramazan SEREZLİ1, Sevim HAMZAÇEBİ1 , Fatma ÖZTÜRK1, Hatice GÜNDÜZ1
İzmir Kâtip Çelebi University, Faculty of Fisheries, 35620, İzmir, Turkey
e-mail: bahadirugural@hotmail.com
Year Quota (kg)
Ex-post Export Amounts
(kg) %
2003 8000 5430 67,88
2004 5000 4811 96,22
2005 6000 5014 83,57
2006 6000 4021 67,02
2007 6000 3090 51,50
2008 6000 2303,5 38,39
2009 6000 1350 22,50
2010 6000 1601 26,68
2011 5000 504 10,08
2012 4000 964 24,10
2013 2000 508 25,40
2014 2000 161 8,05
2015 2000 396 19,80
2016 2000 365 18,25
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2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Quota (Kg)
Ex-Post (Kg)
Price (TL)
Year Kg/TL Kg/USD
2003 25 ₺ 16,78 $
2004 43 ₺ 29,93 $
2005 65 ₺ 48,51 $
2006 100 ₺ 69,93 $
2007 125 ₺ 96,15 $
2008 215 ₺ 166,67 $
2009 275 ₺ 177,42 $
2010 350 ₺ 233,33 $
2011 540 ₺ 323,35 $
2012 615 ₺ 341,67 $
2013 540 ₺ 284,21 $
2014 710 ₺ 324,20 $
2015 1.100 ₺ 404,41 $
2016 1.750 ₺ 579,47 $
Abstract
Medicinal leeches (Hirudo verba-
na) are freshwater annelids and
used for medical applications since
ancient ages.
Since Turkish Ministry of Health accepted the
Medicinal Leech therapy in medical treatments in
2014, the demand of Medicinal leeches has been
increasing every year.
The main object of this research is to analyze pop-
ulation statistics of Medicinal leeches for the last
15 years in terms of economical and environmen-
tal point of view. We investigated both the mar-
ket prices and total export amounts. Moreover,
we interviewed with local leech collectors.
It was observed that the export amount has dra-
matically decreased from 2003 to 2016. The high-
est registered total export amount of medicinal
leeches for the last 15 years is recorded in 2003 as
5430 kg, whereas it was only 2394 kg between
2012-2016. Furthermore, the increase in kg/price
of leeches due to decreasing population in Tur-
key’s wetlands was unignorable. In 2003, the kg/
price of leeches was 25 TL (16,68 $) however in
2016 it was 1750 TL (578,13 $).
The results pointed the fact that medicinal leech
population is dangerously decreasing due to the
over-collection and violating the ban season. In
order to avoid the decrease in medicinal leech
population, enterprises on breeding should be
supported and encouraged by governmental in-
centives.
Medicinal leeches
Medicinal leeches (Hirudo verbana) are belongs
to the broader class of Hirudenea. Hirudo verba-
na is one of the major species of medicinal leeches
in Turkey. It is a well-known fact that leeches
were used for various medical practices since the
ancient times.
Although leeches were extensively used for
alternative treatment methods, the usage of
medicinal leeches for post microsurgery recovery
became more common in the recent past,
especially in Europe. In addition, medicinal
leeches are used for the treatment of many
diseases such as glaucoma, migraine, varicose
veins and chronic wounds.
It is well known that medicinal leeches have over
100 bioactive substances in their salivary glands.
Moreover, medicinal leeches and their bioactive
substances provide valuable raw materials for the
pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Leeches can be seen in wall
paintings found in sepulchre
of the 18th dynasty pha-
raohs (1567—1308 b.c.).
In 19th centuary, the an-
nual consumption of leeches
approached 100 million in
Europe.
Methods
To analyze the economical and ecological status
of Medicinal leeches, we interviewed with local
leech collectors and we investigated trade
activities of Turkish leech distributors. We take
the data from CITES and Ministry of Agriculture
and Animal Affairs of Turkey. About prices we
interviewed with leech distributors and
collectors, we calculate the average prices of
years.
Results & Conclusions
This study showed Medicinal leech population is
dramatically decreasing in their natural habitats
of Turkey. And increased prices effects the trade
of leeches negatively.
In 2016 local leech collectors report that they can’t
easily find leeches as they found before 2012.
They report that a man can collect over 1000
leeches a day before 2012 but it is only 100 or less
leeches now. They also report that leech sizes are
smaller than before.
After interview with collectors and distributors,
we understand that there are 2 reasons for price
increase of leeches. First reason was increased
market demand which began early 2000’s. But
after 2012 leech population was decreased and
prices increased because of absence of leeches.
CITES and Ministry of Agriculture and Animal
Affairs data shows that international leech trade
of Turkish distributors gone worse in 13 years.
From 2003 to 2016 ex-post export amount
decreased %93.
The Medicinal leech population dangerously de-
creasing in Turkish wet-lands. Over collection,
violating ban seasons, global warming, water
pollution could be the reasons of leech popula-
tion lost. This lost effects negatively both ecologic
and economic situation of Turkey.
To avoid the decrease in Medicinal leech
These newspaper articles points the
smugglers caught by police during
importing medicinal leeches
illegally.
population government agencies
should increase the controls in
ban season, should train local
people who lives closer to natural
habitat of leeches, should support
and encourage the leech breeding
activities.
Quata and Ex-posted Medicinal Leech Amounts Annually
Price, Quata and Ex-posted Medicinal Leech Amounts Annually
Kilogram / Price in Years