Iran to Launch Canine Conservation Unit

Following in the footsteps of Canada and South Africa, Iran has taken the first step to launch a K9 conservation unit to help park rangers combat poachers.

The move is made possible thanks to the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Environment and Hamoun Biodiversity Foundation on Monday.

"The use of dogs in the effort to protect the environment will have numerous benefits and can help address shortcomings," Ali Teymouri, director of the Conservation, Hunting and Fishing Office at DOE, was quoted as saying in a report on the department's website.

He said the K9 unit can help address the shortage of rangers, reduce deadly encounters between rangers and poachers, improve the morale of park wardens and create a sense of insecurity for illegal hunters.

The cost of a three-year pilot scheme, which will be implemented in the provinces of Semnan, Tehran and Alborz, would be borne by the foundation.

The foundation will also train the dogs which, along with their offspring, would be handed over to DOE after three years.

Canine anti-poaching or conservation units are deployed in places such as Canada and South Africa. Highly-trained working dogs, usually German shepherds, are used in the battle against poaching and wildlife trade. Iran suffers from a major lack of workforce when it comes to protecting conservation areas, as park rangers have incredibly low salaries and receive virtually no legal support in gunfights with poachers.

The DOE has pledged to address both the legal vacuum and poor pay.