Afghan Voice Agency (AVA) - Mazar-e-Sharif: Marco polo’s deer and snow leopard are the only rare animals in the world that live in the high Pamir Mountains of Badakhshan; but this year's heat has increased the risk of these animals escaping.
Moezuddin Ahmadi; The head of information and culture of Badakhshan, today, Sunday, July 31, 2022, told Ava: This year, the weather has become unusually warm compared to previous years, and if the temperature rises further, the natural glaciers in Badakhshan may melt and life Rare species such as Marco polo’s deer and snow leopard face problems.
He added that these two rare animals can only live in cold areas with snow and glaciers, and may escape to neighboring countries, including Tajikistan, with the heat of the air.
Ahmadi said that the generations of Marco polo’s deer and snow leopard in Badakhshan have been on the verge of extinction for the past years. But we are trying to provide a better living environment for these animals by implementing the animal hunting ban law.
The head of information and culture of Badakhshan added that the law prohibiting animal hunting was issued by the leader of "Islamic Emirate" and the local government of Badakhshan implements this order.
Earlier, the local officials of Badakhshan also said that the recent wars, airstrikes and the sound of tanks and guns forced rare generations of wildlife such as snow leopards, Marco polo deer, mountain goats and special birds of this province to flee and their descendants it is becoming extinct.
The residents of Badakhshan also said that hunters used to have access to hunting in not far away heights; but after recent wars, animals have fled to the peaks and may escape from Badakhshan to neighboring countries.