Experts propose to ban hunting of certain bird species

Azerbaijan is home to about 357 species of birds thanks to its relatively mild winters, a lot of food, and lakes, which accommodate wintering waterfowl and do not almost frozen in cold season.

However, frequent hunting and some other reasons led to the reduction of certain types of birds in the territory of Azerbaijan.

The Zoology Institute of the ANAS has proposed to exclude several species such as greater scaup and merganser from the hunting list.

Director of the Institute Elman Yusifov told Trend the proposal was drafted after studies conducted by the Institute during the winter and summer months in the southern coastal strip of the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea.

The studies revealed that greater scaup and merganser unevenly distributed within their range.

"Also, species such as the ferruginous duck and red-breasted merganser may soon become a rare species, while common merganser is endangered in general. In this connection the Institute offers to exclude greater scaup and merganser from the hunting list, on which the hunting is permitted," he said.

Hunting, a favorite pastime for many since ancient times, is accessible for all enthusiasts in Azerbaijan for the certain period every year.

Azerbaijan that locates in nine of eleven possible climatic zones enjoys a great diversity of flora and fauna, and is kind of a heaven for hunters. Here, in the different periods of the year, hunters can hunt for Dagestan wild ox, wild pig, hare, wood pigeons, quail, partridge, waterfowl, sandpiper, woodcock, and chamois.

The hunting season in the country opens traditionally in late MayJune, while hunters need to apply to the Baku Ecology and Natural Resources Department and regional departments to acquire related licenses.

Hunting is prohibited in some areas of the country, as well as the Caspian Sea islands, green zones, protected areas, near the cities and resort areas.

The hunting season 2016-2017 started in June and will end in March 2017, while the Ecology and Natural Resources Ministry continues raids to prevent the cases of illegal hunting in the country.

The Ministry has recently announced that sixteen foreigners, including citizens of the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Pakistan, Iraq and Syria, have been detained in Azerbaijan for illegal hunting in 2016. The ministry has sent a request to the State Migration Service for the foreigners to be deported.

They were detained for attempted poaching in the administrative territories of Beylegan, Imishli, Hajigabul, Bilasuvar, Khizi, Khachmaz and Guba districts and in the Aghgol National Park.

Some 193 shotguns, 632 cartridges were seized from 213 Azerbaijani citizens detained during raids in 2016.

Protocols were drawn up on 200 detainees and they were fined 193,317 manats ($107,118) under the Code of Administrative Offences.