According to KhabarOnline, the Deputy of Natural Environment and Biodiversity at the Mazandaran Department of Environment Protection reported on Sunday that on the evening of July 9, a caretaker reported signs of anorexia and balance disorders in a bird named Roya. Immediate veterinary examinations were conducted, and upon diagnosing respiratory infection symptoms, initial treatments and emergency supportive measures were initiated.
Ruhollah Esmaeili added that due to the persistence of symptoms and the necessity for further examinations, Roya was referred to a specialized veterinary center on Saturday. The results of specialized tests and imaging confirmed the presence of progressive pulmonary infection, and the bird was placed under specialized treatment. This official stated that based on the assessment of veterinarians at the specialized center, Roya’s pulmonary infection had a progressive nature and had caused damage to the bird’s respiratory system before the appearance of overt symptoms. In birds, many respiratory diseases remain asymptomatic until advanced stages, and therefore, after the emergence of clinical signs, the progression of the disease can be very rapid.
He continued, stating that the bird’s general condition, breathing quality, alertness, balance, nutrition, and response to treatment were continuously monitored by veterinarians and caretakers, and necessary actions were taken to provide a calm, safe, and suitable environment to aid in the treatment process. Esmaeili noted that currently, medication and supportive care are ongoing according to veterinarians’ recommendations, and all specialized resources are being utilized for the treatment and care of this Siberian crane. However, given the progressive nature of the infection and the damage inflicted on the respiratory system, the prognosis of the disease is cautious, and it is currently impossible to predict the treatment outcome definitively. Additional information regarding the status of this bird will be communicated based on documented veterinary results.
According to KhabarOnline, one of the concerns of the Department of Environment Protection over the past four years has been the loss of the western migratory route of Siberian cranes to Iran, which was highlighted by the death of “Omid,” the sole Siberian crane. Consequently, a female crane was imported from Belgium to accompany Omid, making it possible to preserve this migratory route. Accordingly, the Department of Environment Protection negotiated with Belgium to bring a mate for Omid, and ultimately, through international efforts, on January 22, 2023, Omid’s mate named Roya was brought to Iran and placed in a specially prepared cage in Miankaleh, adhering to necessary protocols.
The cranes “Omid” and “Roya” left the Fereydunkenar International Wetland towards Siberia on March 5, 2023, after a joint stay of 34 days. However, according to local communities and environmental activists, the Belgian crane did not continue the journey and landed in an area in Abbasabad, Tonekabon, in Mazandaran, where it has been under special observation ever since. The Siberian crane is divided into three main populations: eastern, western, and central. The central population migrated to India and became extinct, while the western population came to Iran, leaving only one male crane named Omid. With its death, this population will also become completely extinct. However, the eastern population still exists, with reports indicating that three thousand cranes continue to migrate to China. The Director General of the Wildlife Protection and Management Office at the Department of Environment Protection stated to KhabarOnline that the three migratory populations of cranes belong to the same species, thus our goal was to find a mate for Omid to at least preserve the western migratory route of this bird in Iran.
