Bird Poachers' Shelters in Anzali Wetland Raided

Illegal hunting shelters set up in the port city of Bandar Anzali in the northern province of Gilan to trap migratory birds in Anzali Wetland were raided by the protection unit of the Department of Environment.

Each year in fall, migratory birds arrive in the wetlands of Gilan to spend the winter and poachers attempt to capture them live for trade. Some 15 members of the protection unit managed to destroy five shelters in Selkeh, Sarkhankol and Ghalmughadeh regions in a surprise attack this week, Jamaran.ir reported.

Sasan Akbaripour, the head of the protection unit, said the protection of these vulnerable animals is the unit's responsibility.

"Anzali Wetland is being patrolled by park rangers and illegal hunting in the protected areas is strictly forbidden and poachers will be prosecuted," he said.

Akbaripour urged the public to contact the authorities through the 1540 hotline or phone number 01333832280 upon seeing any illegal activity in the region.  Located on the southern coast of Caspian Sea and spread over 150 sq km, Anzali Wetland is internationally known as a habitat of migratory birds. It was officially registered as a Ramsar site in June 1975.