Gorgan, IRNA – The birth of a red deer in Ghorogh Forest Park, in Gorgan, in northeast Iran, has raised hopes that efforts meant to protect the rare species, which is under threat due to habitat destruction and overhunting, have paid off.

Speaking to the IRNA on Monday, Head of Gorgan's branch of the Natural Resources and Watershed Management Organization Rasoul Moghasem said that the red deer calf born a day earlier in the region was in good condition and under direct supervision of the rangers.

He added the population of red deer had increased to 9 in Ghorogh forest which has hosted Iran's main center for protection of red deer for nearly half a century. 

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