Turkey supports a major wintering population of the Dalmatian pelican,Pelecanus crispus.A significant reduction in numbers has been recorded between the periods 1969–1974 and 1986–1990. This decrease appears to be mainly due to a simultaneous decrease in the breeding population in Turkey. Other factors could, however, also be involved, since an annually variable proportion of the Dalmatian pelican population wintering in Turkey originates from breeding colonies in Greece, Bulgaria and Romania. At present, 75% of the Dalmatian pelican wintering population in Turkey is recorded in the Menderes Delta and Lake Bafa region of western Anatolia. Because of the threats to this area, there is an urgent need to draw up an integrated development plan.