Azernews.Az

By Amina Nazarli

Animal kingdom of Azerbaijan embraces diversity of various types of animals, which inhabit and populate a defined ground and water area of the country.

As an owner of this wealth the government is focused in saving this wildlife.

Saving wildlife requires many positive actions and it requires changes in life style and changes in people’s general way of thinking.

It is necessary to think globally and act locally in this issue, since humanity is bound with all other forms of life in one gigantic ecosystem.

This is the central matter of concern for Azerbaijan, which is a home to more than 12,000 species of animals.

With an intention to protect its wildlife Azerbaijan strengthens its actions even more and has introduced a new law to punish animal cruelty acts against wild species.

In case this cruelty ends with the death or injury the perpetrator will be fined at 500 manats ($322)

The law punishes those who encroach on wildlife habitat, for instance, burn leaves in the territories located close to the place where animals live and those who fail to comply with the requirements for population of animals.

In these cases individuals will be fined from 200 to 500 manats, while officials will have to pay from 2,000 (about $1,300) to 2,500 (about $1,610) manats and legal entities from 5,000 (about $3,220) to 7,500 (about $4,835) manats.

According to the previous law, the fine was imposed to those who withdraw animal from the wild nature without applying to related agencies.

Azerbaijan protects wild nature

The first ever Center for Restoration and Rehabilitation of Wild Nature in the South Caucasus was established in Azerbaijan.

With the aim of protecting and increasing the number of wild nature, IDEA Public Association initiated by Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and Founder and Head of IDEA Leyla Aliyeva in 2011 makes every effort to protect the nature for future generations.

IDEA identified the Caucasus Big Five project which envisages protection of five animals such as brown bear, imperial eagle, grey wolf, goitered gazelle and Caucasian leopard, considering symbols of the Caucasus and the region’s main living beauty, being under threat of extinction.

The Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources have launched a joint project to prevent the illegal hunting of gazelles and to take proactive measures to protect these graceful animals in their natural habitat.

As part of the “Protection of Leopards” project, IDEA jointly with local and international organizations, hold various events aimed at public education, including summer camps, scientific seminars and workshops for students, as well as youth competitions.

IDEA and Wild World Foundation have also prepared an action plan on reintroduction of bison. International experts believe that the best place for them is Shahdag Park, located in the Ismayilli region, where they plan to establish a Center for Breeding Bison.

Measures are being taken on specific issues of endangerment, but without protecting the environments where endangered species live, these efforts will be in vain.

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Amina Nazarli is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @amina_nazarli

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