Let's Return the Bison to Our Nature!

The 2021 environmental summer camp has been successfully completed. From July 21-23, the next environmental summer camp, titled "Let's Return Bison to Our Nature!" took place, focusing on youth education and development as part of the "Bison Reintroduction in Azerbaijan" program. This initiative was launched by Leyla Aliyeva, vice president of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and founder of IDEA Public Union.

The camp was organized by IDEA Public Union in collaboration with the Youth Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan, and the Azerbaijani representative office of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), with support from the Gabala District Executive Power. Approximately 60 schoolchildren from the Gabala region participated in the camp.

The main goal of the summer camp is to educate young people about the reintroduction of bison and the importance of their protection, fostering an understanding of environmental issues from a young age, and cultivating a sense of empathy and care for nature.

Day 1:
On the first day of the camp, the schoolchildren attended presentations on the lifestyle of bison, the history of their reintroduction in Azerbaijan, their habitats, and their ecological role. They also learned about the efforts to reintroduce this rare species and participated in training sessions on the factors that contributed to the decline of the bison population. The day included various ecological competitions and fun activities related to biodiversity, including knowledge competitions.

Day 2:
On the second day, participants went on an excursion to Shahdag National Park. Here, they explored the park’s rich biodiversity and observed live bison brought to Azerbaijan as part of the reintroduction program. The schoolchildren were informed about the successful adaptation of the bison and the project's implementation stages and achievements.

Day 3:
On the final day of the camp, an informational tour was organized to Lake Nohur, where inter-team ecological games took place. Activities included studying fauna species through footprints, learning how to organize proper shelters, and discussing safety rules in natural areas. The camp concluded with the presentation of certificates and souvenirs to the participants.

It should be noted that as part of the program for the reintroduction of the Caucasian bison into Azerbaijan’s nature, the IDEA Public Union, along with its project partners, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and the Azerbaijan Representation of WWF, conducts extensive conservation and educational activities. In May 2019, 12 bison were brought from Europe to the Ismailli section of Shahdag National Park, followed by the release of 5 more in 2020. The observed natural growth of the bison population indicates that they have successfully adapted. Currently, the number of bison in Azerbaijan has reached 19, and the program plans to continue bringing new individuals.

Since 2014, IDEA Public Union has organized annual camps focused on the environment and biodiversity. Over this period, more than 500 schoolchildren from regions including Ismayilli, Salyan, Neftchala, Gabala, Goranboy, Samukh, Gakh, Sheki, Masalli, Jalilabad, Yardimli, Lankaran, Astara, Goygol, Lerik, and Lankaran have participated in these camps.