In Ilam province, wildlife rescue operations have intensified, focusing on various injured species including birds of prey such as hawks and eagles, as well as wild ducks and rodents. Many of these animals suffer from injuries due to road accidents, collisions with power lines, exhaustion from long migratory flights, and hunting.
According to Akbar Mohammadzadeh, all rescued animals receive medical care from veterinarians and are released back into their habitats once fully recovered. In the first five months of this year, 74 cases of wildlife fatalities were reported, primarily involving jackals and foxes.
Local communities, especially rural residents and livestock farmers, are encouraged to report any injured or deceased wild animals to environmental agencies. Mohammadzadeh emphasized the importance of not attempting to treat wild animals at home, urging the public to hand them over to environmental authorities for proper care.
Ilam province is home to a rich biodiversity, with over 1,000 plant species, 46 mammal species, more than 200 bird species, and various reptiles and amphibians documented. The province's ecosystems, covering 1.7 million hectares of natural land, provide critical habitats for many migratory birds during spring and winter.