ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო ველური ბუნებისეროვნული სააგენტო

At the initiative of the National Wildlife Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, a breeding facility for red deer (Cervus elaphus maral) has been established in Algeti National Park as part of the National Species Recovery Plan.

The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, and Mr. David Songulashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

 "This is truly a historic step in protecting Georgia’s biodiversity. The long-term goal of the red deer recovery program is to establish viable and sustainable populations across the country. It is our responsibility to preserve the natural wealth that has shaped Georgia’s unique ecosystems over centuries for future generations," stated Mr. David Songulashvili.

The 60-hectare facility, the largest of its kind in the Caucasus region, is fully fenced and equipped with modern monitoring systems, including camera traps and satellite collars.

 "For the first time since Georgia’s independence, we are restoring the endangered Caucasian red deer—a species listed in the Red List. This initiative is part of a broader species recovery program that has been actively developing in recent years," said Mr. Shalva Papuashvili.

According to Mr. Revaz Bezhashvili, Head of the National Wildlife Agency, the facility provides favorable conditions for red deer reproduction and adaptation to their natural environment:

"In this specially designed setting, we can closely study the deer's behavior, social dynamics, and adaptation stages. This data will be essential in planning the process of reintroducing the species into the wild," he noted.

As part of the event, seven red deer—five females and two males—were released into the protected forest area of Algeti National Park. These individuals were bred at the Tbilisi Zoo, and the number will increase to 15 in the program’s initial phase. Once a stable and growing population is established, the deer will gradually be reintroduced into the wild.

Algeti National Park was strategically selected for the program due to its location in the heart of the Caucasus, offering natural habitats, ecological corridors, and a high level of protection, making it an ideal environment for both restoring and safeguarding the red deer population.