Foreign poachers detained in Azerbaijan
By Amina Nazarli
Azerbaijan, rich with fauna is a favorite of many hunting enthusiasts for whom this hobby remains both a challenging and exhilarating experience. But, sometimes, it can also contribute to illegal hunting.
During a recent raid launched by the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry, two foreigners engaged in illegal hunting were detained in the “Mahmudchala” hunting area.
The offenders were Syrian citizen Mohammed al-Hamdi and Khalil Ibrahim Eesee al-Javari of Iraq. The officials seized four carcasses of wild pigeons, four quails, two domestic pigeons, trap nets and baskets for birds.
For a violation of the “Animal world" law, each of illegal hunter was fined in the amount of 2,000 manats (about $1,900).
Raids are currently being conducted to curb illegal hunting in Azerbaijan.
In the recent years, the interest of foreigners, especially from Arab countries, to hunt in Azerbaijan has increased, and Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev mentioned it as a positive fact.
Earlier in October, discussing VIP tourism in Azerbaijan and hunting by Arab sheikhs in the Aran region, the minister said that Azerbaijan must develop all areas of tourism, including hunting tourism.
He explained that it has good impact in terms of the country’s economy, since wealthy people come to Azerbaijan spend money.
“I think that if wealthy people come to Azerbaijan to spend their money here, then we should just rejoice,” he said, adding that the practice is common throughout the world.
“We have to approve the engagement of people with different kinds of tourism. However, all this should be done on the basis of special licenses, in the framework of the law and provide no harm to nature, culture, and historical monuments of Azerbaijan.”
Despite the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources tightening measures every year against poaching in the country, some poachers still find a way to hunt illegally.
The recent killing of an endangered leopard by 20-year-old Azerbaijani male Natig Boyukzada caused a concern for many animal rights advocates.
Natig and his relative, 20-year-old Samad Faradjov was detained by the State Border Service, while attempting to sell the leopard skin for 10,000-15,000 manat ($9,599 -$14,399) in the region’s Chukaz village.
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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
Twitter: @amina_nazarli
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