A rare type of a long-eared hedgehog was discovered in Turkey's southern Hatay province, increasing the total number of species to 69, reports said Monday.

Environmental Protection Association's head in Hatay, Abdullah Öğünç said that the hedgehog was spotted by a camera trap in Hatay's Kırıkhan district.

The long-eared hedgehog, also known as hemiechinus auritus, prefers dry steppes and deserts, Öğünç said, adding that the area is also home to a rare type of Wagner's gerbil, striped hyena, jungle cats, wolves, fox, marbled polecat and more.

Öğünç said that Hatay is one of the most significant provinces regarding diversity of species, noting that the area between Hassa and Kırıkhan should be declared a national park.

Hemiechinus auritus was previously found in eastern Iğdır province and Southeast region near Turkey's borders.

The camera traps were set up by Professor Mustafa Sözen and Professor Muhsin Çoğal from Bülent Ecevit University in cooperation with Turkey's Environmental Protection Association's Hatay branch.