According to KhabarOnline, the Caucasian black grouse is a prominent species found in the mountainous regions of the Caucasus, primarily observed in the high altitudes of the protected Arasbaran area in Iran. This bird inhabits elevations of around 2,000 meters, making it difficult to spot throughout much of the year; thus, monitoring and counting its population necessitate specialized studies.

The head of the Bird Group at the Department of Wildlife Protection and Management of the Environmental Protection Organization has announced the update of the national operational program for the Caucasian black grouse and the establishment of a national committee to implement this program. This committee has been formed in collaboration with the East Azerbaijan Environmental Protection Department and is tasked with examining the population status, habitat range, behavior, and ecological characteristics of this bird.

According to KhabarOnline, the program will involve specialized teams, provincial experts, university professors, community organizations, and non-governmental organizations. One of the key focuses of this initiative is to enhance the role of local communities in protecting the habitat and preventing harm to this species.

Experts emphasize that the protection of the black grouse cannot be achieved without safeguarding its habitat. Habitat destruction, fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and certain illegal activities pose significant threats to the survival of this species.

Under the new program, training for local communities, the organization of specialized workshops, continuous monitoring, updating conservation indicators, and designing standardized methods for monitoring and counting the black grouse population are prioritized. The importance of these actions lies in the fact that Iran’s habitats represent one of the southernmost ranges for the Caucasian black grouse, and preserving these areas can play a crucial role in the survival of this rare bird.

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