Persian Fallow Deer Saved From Extinction

The experience of saving the Iranian fallow deer can
prevent extinction of other endangered species.

Fallow Deer Saved From Extinction

Fallow deer is one of rare species of fauna native to Iran. Its habitat is Karkheh and Dez, both in Khuzestan province. The fallow deer suddenly became extinct several decades ago due to a number of reasons including poaching. Strange as it may seem, only six fallow deer could be found in Iran. Fortunately after officials cautioned that the fallow deer was on the verge of extinction, necessary measures were taken to save this rare animal from disappearing altogether.
In 1957, environmental officials and enthusiasts realized that the number of fallow deer had declined sharply in Iran. After many years only six were found to be living, Persian daily ’Iran’ reported.

Fallow deer were transferred to Nazsari plains in Mazandaran province to facilitate breeding. At that time two fallow deer were transferred to Germany and no one knows what became of them. Breeding fallow deer began in 1957 and a total of 400 were raised. Of course, Nazsari was not the only area for breeding fallow deer and a total of 300 are being bred in Ashk Island of Orumieh Lake which has the highest deer population.

Now, 50 years since the transfer of fallow deer to Mazandaran province from its original habitat, officials of the Department of Environment are trying to bring them back to its habitat in Khuzestan. This is an important event for the lovers of environment. Director general for Khuzestan Department of Environment said that preparations to return Iranian fallow deer to Karkheh protected zone is in its final stage and the species will be returned to Khuzestan in September. Hormuz Mahmoudi-Rad noted that returning the deer to Dez and Karkheh cost 2.1 billion rials while at least another 700 million rials will be required to complete the project.

“Of course, the plan to transfer this rare species was first supposed to be implemented over a 300-hectare area,“ he added.
However, Mahmoudi-Rad said that due to high cost in implementing the project and shortage of funds, the plan was executed over a 70-hectare area.
“Operations such as fencing the breeding site, preparing the land and clearing the protected zone of natural predators of fallow deer, including foxes and jackal are presently underway,“ he further said.

He noted that all these efforts are aimed at transferring fallow deer to its main habitat, Khuzestan and also promoting ecotourism in the region.
“A tourism site with arbor, camping area and sightseeing center will be built in the protected zone,“ he added. Mahmoudi-Rad noted that gathering information about different species of fauna which are on the verge of extinction is essential since in the absence of such information the endangered species cannot be saved.
“The experience of saving Iranian fallow deer can prevent extinction of other endangered species,“ he further noted.

Mahmoudi-Rad asserted that officials of the Department of Environment are trying to gather comprehensive information about the endangered species.
An environmentalist, Najafi, says he and his colleagues are going to gather information about endangered species and hence prevent their extinction. Fallow deer was saved, but can other endangered species also be saved?