The project “Reintroduction of gazelles to their historical habitat in the Caucasus”, initiated by the Vice -President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva, is implemented by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, IDEA campaign and the Azerbaijani office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The purpose of the project is to increase population of gazelles and relocate them in the areas where they previously lived but disappeared for various reasons.

Reintroduction of the gazelles from Azerbaijan to Georgia as part of the project was held on October 21, 2013.

“IDEA is successfully implementing the project. The relocation of gazelles has been very successful. Gazelles are well adapted to their historical habitat”, Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources Mr. Huseyn Bagirov said.

He also noted that the project consists of two phases.

The first group of gazelles was relocated in the territory of the Absheron district (the traditional habitat of gazelles) as part of the first stage in 2010. Special sensors to monitor their vital functions were put on their necks.

In turn, the Deputy Minister of Ecology and Environmental Protection of Georgia Shalva Amerijili expressed special gratitude to Mrs. Leyla Aliyeva for the initiative.

“Today, we have begun restoring habitat of gazelles in Georgia”, Mr. Amerijili said. This is a big step towards the restoration of biological diversity throughout the region. I hope that in the future we will begin the process of relocating bison to the region”, he said.