An Ankara man turned his lifelong passion for wildlife into an unusual wedding celebration.

In Turkish culture, giving gold to newlyweds is a long-standing wedding tradition. Gold jewelry and coins are commonly presented by family members, friends and guests as both a symbolic gesture of good wishes and a form of financial support for the couple as they begin their married life. But Yalçın’s friends took a different approach, choosing to gift him exotic animals instead, reflecting his long-standing passion for wildlife.

Buğra Yalçın, who has been interested in animals since childhood, said he gradually turned his fascination with wildlife and exotic species into a hobby.

Yalçın said his interest began when he was young, studying salamanders found near a lake and researching insects he encountered in nature.

He also cared for injured insects before releasing them back into the wild, he said, adding that interest in keeping exotic animals had grown in Türkiye in recent years.

Yalçın said he pursued the hobby within legal requirements and that the animals given to him as wedding gifts were documented by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.

He currently keeps several exotic species at home, including uromastyx, Peter’s banded skinks, Sudan plated lizards, Senegal chameleons, fire skinks, African fat-tailed geckos and iguanas.

He acknowledged that caring for exotic animals required considerable effort and specialized attention.

"I try to provide them with the best conditions possible. It is actually a very detailed and demanding hobby,” Yalçın said.

His friends gifted him several animals for his wedding, including a stick insect, a green iguana, a uromastyx and a Peter’s banded skink.

"I was very happy. They are more valuable to me than gold. Each of them is like one of my children,” Yalçın said.

He added that his family initially found his hobby unusual but eventually began supporting him, with his mother helping care for the animals when he was away.

Yalçın also said his wife supported his passion and had become an enthusiast herself.

"She is a great supporter of mine. In fact, she loves them even more than I do,” he said.