Semenani Offenders Kill Two Bear Cubs

The Iranian Department of Environment and Wildlife has reported the discovery of the bodies of two brown bear cubs, a protected species under the Iranian Environmental Protection Organization, in Semnan Province. This incident was observed and reported by local residents in the Chashm village in the free areas of Shahmirzad. Keyvan Houshmand, the director of the Iranian Department of Environment and Wildlife in Tehran, stated in an interview with Radio Farda that both bear cubs were autopsied at the Semnan Environmental Protection Department, and the cause of death was determined to be gunshot wounds. Houshmand explained that the pellets from a hunting rifle struck the head, neck, and chest of the cubs, indicating they were shot from a very close distance. He noted that during this season, bear cubs live with their mothers and require their support for survival and learning life skills in the wild. It is likely that their mother was also killed, but her heavier body could not be moved, while the lighter bodies of the cubs were left by the roadside to suggest they died in a traffic accident. When asked why they would stage such a scene, Houshmand indicated it was to show that no one had killed them with a weapon, as that would be a crime. Killing wildlife, especially protected species, is illegal, and they wanted to prevent the environment authorities from investigating the deaths of the cubs. He mentioned that in such cases, it is possible to identify those involved in the killing, but it is difficult and requires local investigations. Bears are often killed by farmers and beekeepers during this season as they come to feed. Regarding the determination to find the offenders, Houshmand stated that there is a serious commitment to environmental issues in Iran, which have become a priority for the public in recent years due to increased awareness through social media. The government has also prioritized environmental issues, and most offenders have been identified and referred to judicial authorities. However, he pointed out that one of the main reasons for the ongoing killings is the low penalties, which do not provide sufficient deterrence. Offenders are not afraid of killing an animal because they believe that even if identified and taken to court, they can ultimately be released by paying a fine. He emphasized that merely imposing fines is not enough; cultural awareness needs to be raised, especially in local communities near wildlife habitats that have less access to social media. Additionally, he stressed the importance of compensating for damages caused by wild animals to humans, as many killings occur when bears destroy crops. Houshmand noted that while some actions have been taken regarding penalties, they have not been sufficient. For example, fines for killing brown bears have increased from 5 million tomans to 50 million tomans, and for leopards from 5 million to 80 million tomans. However, he believes that fines and penalties need to be further increased. The government and the Department of Environment have also been educating local communities. Since March 2016, an insurance company has voluntarily insured damages caused by leopard and wolf attacks without charging a premium, but this has not yet been extended to bears and many other species. Houshmand confirmed that they are actively pursuing the case of the two bear cubs in Semnan and that Semnan environmental officials are seriously investigating the matter.