The Wildlife Agency of the Georgian Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture has inaugurated a breeding farm for Noble Deer (Cervus elaphus maral) within Algeti National Park, marking a historic effort to recover species listed in the Red Book, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili and Minister Davit Songhulashvili attended the opening ceremony.

“This is a historic milestone for Georgia’s biodiversity preservation. The long-term goal of the Noble Deer restoration program is to establish sustainable populations. Our government is committed to safeguarding the nation’s natural wealth, which has shaped Georgia’s unique ecosystem for centuries,” stated Minister Songhulashvili.

Spanning 60 hectares, the fenced farm is equipped with advanced monitoring systems, photo traps, and satellite collars, providing ideal conditions for deer reproduction and adaptation.

According to Wildlife Agency Head Revaz Bezhanishvili, the facility enables in-depth study of deer behaviour, social dynamics, and adaptation stages, allowing for their eventual return to the wild.

“By creating a controlled environment, we can observe and understand the species better, facilitating their successful reintegration into nature,” said Bezhanishvili.

Initially, seven adult deer – five females and two males – have been released into the protected forests of Algeti National Park. In the first phase, the population will grow to 15, with gradual releases into the wild as numbers stabilise and increase.

Located in southeastern Georgia within the Caucasus, Algeti National Park’s diverse habitats, ecological corridors, and high protection levels create optimal conditions for the species’ recovery and preservation.