Farms Ravaged by Ravenous Deer

A drop in rainfall and poor vegetation in Shir-Ahmad Protected Wildlife Reserve in Sabzevar County, Khorasan Razavi Province, has driven thirsty and hungry deer toward nearby farmlands in search of food and water, causing substantial damage. 
With an area of 23,000 hectares, Shir-Ahmad is home to around 1,000 deer and is considered Iran's second major habitat of the ruminant after Muteh National Park in Isfahan Province. 
However, the shortage of food and water caused by prolonged drought has compelled Shir-Ahmad's deer to cross over to 10 adjacent villages, destroying farmers' crops.
Khosro Keramati, a farmer in the region, told IRNA that the animals have ruined all his cumin farms for which he had spent around 10 million rials ($238) per hectare.
"I have no crop to harvest this year," he said, adding that roughly 60% of the 30 hectares of farmland near the wildlife reserve have suffered damage.