Pictures of the Year International

Bahman, a 35-year-old from Gorgan, is a skilled falconer who actively contributes to wildlife conservation and the rehabilitation of birds of prey. The Environmental Department entrusts him with birds rescued from traffickers, helping them recover and preparing them for release back into the wild. Jun ,03, 2024 .Gorgan, Iran. Bahman, a 35-year-old from Gorgan, is a falconer committed to wildlife conservation and the rehabilitation of birds of prey. He is currently training an imperial eagle named Ras, whose feathers had been clipped by traffickers to domesticate it. After a year of care, Ras's feathers are regrowing, and once fully restored, he will be trained for hunting and released back into the wild. The Environmental Department entrusts Bahman with rescued birds to ensure their recovery and preparation for reintegration into their natural habitats.The smuggling of falcons and other birds of prey in Golestan Province, especially to Arab countries in the Persian Gulf, poses a serious threat to the population of these species and their associated ecosystems. Birds such as falcons, hawks, peregrines, saker falcons, and kestrels are captured and smuggled using inhumane methods due to their high value in illegal markets, leading to population declines and the risk of extinction. These birds play a crucial role as natural predators in controlling the population of rodents and reptiles, thereby preventing the spread of diseases, especially skin diseases, in the province's border areas. A reduction in their population can lead to an increase in rodents and the subsequent spread of diseases like leishmaniasis. Jun ,03, 2024 .Gorgan, Iran.