The summer camp for schoolchildren titled “Let’s Protect the Leopards!” has been launched.

Within the framework of the “Conservation of the Caucasian Leopard” project, IDEA Public Union and the Azerbaijan Representation of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Center and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, have launched the summer camp “Let’s Protect the Leopards!” The camp, which is attended by more than 30 schoolchildren from the southern region of the country, is organized in the Masalli district.

The aim of the “Conservation of the Caucasian Leopard” project is to inform schoolchildren living near the habitats of the Caucasian leopard about this rare species and to promote its conservation.

During the camp, which will take place from July 9 to 11, schoolchildren will receive extensive information about the lifestyle of leopards, the areas they inhabit, and their significance. They will also participate in various ecological studies, quizzes, and competitions.

It should be noted that the project aimed at protecting the Caucasian leopard has been implemented by WWF since 2002. During this period, it has been determined that leopards inhabit four regions in Azerbaijan. Currently, monitoring of these rare predator populations is conducted in the Zangezur range and the Hirkan forests. In 2009, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources adopted a national action plan to strengthen the conservation of leopards. The area of Specially Protected Natural Territories in leopard habitats has been increased fourfold.

In recent years, the work carried out by Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder and head of IDEA Public Union, within the framework of the “Big Five” program, which covers the conservation of five fauna species in the Caucasus facing the risk of extinction (bear, wolf, gazelle, eagle, and leopard), has also borne fruit in terms of leopard protection.

Among these efforts, special mention should be made of the Caucasus Biodiversity Summit, dedicated to feline species (protection of leopards and other felines), held at the Heydar Aliyev Center on May 7, 2014, on the initiative of IDEA Public Union, with the organizational support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Heydar Aliyev Center. The Summit, attended by leading global experts, was one of the major steps taken toward the conservation of leopards inhabiting the Caucasus. During the conference, Leyla Aliyeva emphasized that without the support of young people, it is difficult to hope for the protection of the environment.

Such summer camps, carried out as a continuation of the Caucasus Biodiversity Summit, are highly effective in engaging young people from an early age in nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and increasing their active participation in these efforts.