Azernews.Az

By Laman Ismayilova

“Let’s Protect Gazelles!” summer environmental camp was organized in Salyan, Azerbaijan.

The camp was organized by IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action) Public Association, the Baku office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Education in the framework of the “Reintroduction of gazelles to their historical habitat in the Caucasus” program.

The "Let's protect gazelles!" camp focused on bringing awareness about gazelle species that were reintroduced in areas where inhabitants reside.

Over 60 schoolchildren from Selyan`s Yenikend, Shakarli, Kursangi, Kurqaraqajli villages and Neftchala`s Tatarmehelle village came together in Salyan in order to be informed about the way of life, habitat of gazelles and their role in nature.

The children also took part in various environmental studies, quizzes and contests and visited the Shirvan National Park. The documentary “Azerbaijan. Rescue of Gazelles" by Igor Bishnev was also shown as part of the event.

All participants were awarded with certificates and memorable gifts.

The “Reintroduction of gazelles to their historical habitat in the Caucasus” project was initiated by the Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, Founder of IDEA Leyla Aliyeva. Its purpose is to increase population of gazelles and relocate them in the areas where they lived earlier but disappeared for various reasons.

The first group of gazelles was relocated in the territory of the Absheron district (the traditional habitat of gazelles) as part of the first stage in 2010. Special sensors monitoring their vital functions were put on their necks.

In October 2013, a group of gazelles was reintroduced from Azerbaijan to Georgia as part of the project. To date, more than 150 gazelles were allocated from Shirvan National Park to their historic habitat both in Azerbaijan and Georgia.

The reintroduction process is implemented by the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry of Azerbaijan with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, IDEA campaign and the Azerbaijani office of WWF.

Devoted to the protection of environment and biological diversity, IDEA Campaign conducts various types of camps annually, in partnership with WWF Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz