ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო

As part of the “Fencing for the Planet” initiative linked to the ongoing World Fencing Championships in Georgia, a symbolic release of pheasants took place.

The event was organized by the National Wildlife Agency under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, in collaboration with the International Fencing Federation and the Georgian Fencing Federation.

The pheasant release was attended by Karlo Amirgulashvili, Head of the Biodiversity and Forestry Department; Revaz Bezhashvili, Head of the National Wildlife Agency; Irakli Dolaberidze, Head of the Sports Department at Georgia’s Ministry of Sports; and Tamas Henriette, Vice President of the International Fencing Federation.

The Colchic pheasant (Phasianus colchicus colchicus) is an ancient native species of Georgia’s wildlife. Increasing its population is a key part of the national initiative to restore and conserve local wild bird species. Since 2016, the National Wildlife Agency has been running a program aimed at restoring declining populations of native birds such as the Colchic pheasant, rock partridge, and purple gallinule.

As part of this effort, the Agency established a specialized pheasant breeding facility, equipped with integrated outdoor aviaries and incubator-rearing units designed to support the reproduction and reintroduction of Colchic pheasants into the wild.

Krtsanisi Forest Park, covering 200 hectares, represents a natural floodplain ecosystem along the Mtkvari River. It boasts high biodiversity in both flora and fauna. More than 100 species of resident and migratory birds can be observed there throughout the year — including the Colchic pheasant, which is listed on Georgia’s Red List. This makes the park an ideal location for birdwatching and nature observation.