According to the Mehrnews, Hamid Zohrahi, the Deputy for Natural Environment and Biodiversity of the Department of Environment, emphasized the continuation of conservation programs and the reintroduction of the valuable Iranian yellow deer to its historical habitats during the fourth session of the National Committee on the Iranian Yellow Deer, held in the meeting hall of this department. He stated that despite the ongoing studies on habitat suitability for this species proposed by Isfahan University of Technology, none of the current conservation and management programs for the Iranian yellow deer will be halted, and ongoing actions will continue vigorously. This is because studies evaluating habitat suitability in the Roshankouh and Dez and Karkheh habitats are being conducted separately, and capacity-building programs in local communities, as well as strengthening conservation and reintroduction efforts for the yellow deer in these areas, have already begun and will continue.
Zohrahi pointed out the importance of scientific studies in this field, adding that habitat suitability studies to identify suitable release areas for this species in other parts of the country are essential, and the results of these studies will be utilized in future decision-making. He emphasized that in terms of financial resource allocation, priority will be given to ongoing programs and actions; however, conducting scientific studies to strengthen conservation programs is considered an indispensable necessity.
The Deputy for Natural Environment and Biodiversity of the Department of Environment stressed the need to restore the Iranian yellow deer to its historical habitats, stating that the mission of the provinces of Khuzestan, Fars, and Yazd is particularly significant and must be pursued diligently. Zohrahi also highlighted the role of local communities in the success of conservation programs, stating that capacity-building in local communities and involving people in wildlife conservation efforts is of great importance, and actions must be taken that progress with the cooperation and collaboration of local residents.
Regarding the proposal from the Mazandaran Department of Environment for artificial insemination using frozen sperm from the yellow deer collected ten years ago, he noted that the genetic diversity of the Iranian yellow deer has not been high from the beginning due to the use of a few individuals as the founding and breeding population. Therefore, it is not expected that this action will significantly increase the genetic diversity of this species; however, it is necessary to pursue the matter within the framework of a research program. Zohrahi added that it was proposed to implement this topic in two phases: in the first phase, a research project on artificial insemination using frozen sperm would be conducted, and if successful results are achieved, in the second phase, supplementary research on how to enhance the genetic diversity of captive populations would be carried out.
He further referred to the management of surplus males in the facilities housing the Iranian yellow deer, stating that in addition to creating enclosed areas specifically for surplus males to achieve an appropriate sex ratio in these centers, several older males could be released simultaneously with the installation of domestically designed tracking collars in the Roshankouh and Tojordi regions and the forests of Dez and Karkheh as part of an experimental program. The Deputy for Natural Environment and Biodiversity of the Department of Environment noted that this action would not only provide an opportunity to study and observe the behavior of the species in its natural habitat but also allow for the assessment of its social feedback in local communities, potentially increasing the motivation for collaboration within the local community.
