Famed Van cat ‘Su,’ winner of beauty contest, welcomes five kittens in eastern Türkiye

VAN, TÜRKİYE-APR. 16: Su, a famed Van cat who captured hearts after winning a prestigious beauty competition, has given birth to five adorable kittens at the Van Cat Research and Application Center, located at Van Yuzuncu Yil University in eastern Türkiye.Known for her snow-white fur and striking eye colors, Su rose to fame after winning the top prize at the International Happy Cats Competition in Istanbul in November 2019. Her unique traits—especially her love for swimming and affectionate temperament—have made her a favorite among locals and visitors alike.Born just weeks ago, Su’s new litter is already stealing the spotlight, drawing crowds eager to meet the next generation of this rare and celebrated feline breed. The Van cat, native to Türkiye’s eastern province of Van, is famous for its heterochromatic or dichromatic eyes—often featuring mesmerizing combinations of blue, amber, green, or yellow.The Van Cat Research and Application Center—affectionately known as the “Van Cat Villa”—has been working to preserve this iconic breed since its establishment in 1995.The center provides a controlled environment for the cats and plays a key role in breeding, genetic research, and conservation efforts."We’ve been coming to the center for years," said Sevval Senturk, a student at the university. "Everyone wants to see Su and her beauty.”Visitors to the center are also greeted by “Mia,” another champion Van cat who previously won the same international beauty contest as Su. The cats remain a major attraction, especially during the spring birth season.(Footage by Yılmaz Kazandioğlu/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)