"Let's Protect the Deer!" Ecological Summer Camp
IDEA Public Union, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Azerbaijan office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have launched the ecological summer camp “Let’s Protect the Gazelles!” within the framework of the “Reintroduction of Gazelles to Their Historically Inhabited Areas in the Caucasus” program. The camp, which will host more than 60 students from the villages of Yenikənd, Şəkərli, Kürsəngi in Salyan district and Tatarməhəllə in Neftchala district, will be held in Salyan district from June 21 to 23.
The main goal of the ecological summer camp “Let’s Protect the Gazelles!” is to educate the younger generation living in areas where gazelles have been reintroduced, including locations near their natural habitats, about this species. During the camp, participants will receive extensive information about the lifestyle of gazelles, the regions they inhabit, and their role in nature. Children will also take part in various small ecological studies, quizzes, and competitions, watch the documentary film “Azerbaijan. Saving the Gazelles” directed by Igor Bışnyov, and go on an excursion to Shirvan National Park to meet gazelles in person. At the end of the camp, participants will be awarded certificates and souvenir gifts.
The “Reintroduction of Gazelles to Their Historically Inhabited Areas in the Caucasus” program was initiated in 2010 by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and is currently being successfully implemented through the joint cooperation of IDEA Public Union, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and the Azerbaijan office of WWF. Over the years, more than 150 gazelles have been reintroduced from Shirvan National Park to their historically inhabited areas in Azerbaijan and Georgia, with ongoing monitoring and protection measures in place.
Ecological and biodiversity-focused camps have been regularly organized every year since 2014 by IDEA Public Union, the Azerbaijan office of WWF, and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During this period, more than 300 students from the districts of Goranboy, Samukh, Qakh, Shaki, Masalli, Jalilabad, Yardimli, Lankaran, and Astara have participated in these camps.
