Following ongoing conservation efforts in northern Iran’s forests and habitats, attention to other key wildlife species remains vital.

Collared Pratincole: A Migratory Bird with an Ecological Role
The collared pratincole (Glareola pratincola) is a slender-winged bird with a forked tail, often resembling terns in flight. These birds are highly social, commonly seen in flocks of 30 to 40 individuals, especially active during mornings and evenings when they hunt insects such as beetles and grasshoppers.
Its primary habitats include wetland margins, steppe areas, salt flats, and cultivated fields. As a migratory bird, it is one of the characteristic species of the Miankaleh Wetland. By feeding on insects, the collared pratincole plays a crucial role in natural pest control and maintaining the ecological balance of wetland and steppe ecosystems. Protecting its habitats is essential for sustaining biodiversity.

Red Fox: A Symbol of Intelligence and Adaptability in Hezarjarib
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is one of the most notable mammal species inhabiting the protected forests of Hezarjarib in Mazandaran Province. Easily recognizable by its reddish-orange fur, white underbelly, dark legs, and bushy tail tipped with white, the red fox measures 60 to 90 cm in body length with a tail of about 40 cm.
Known for its intelligence and adaptability, the red fox thrives in diverse environments ranging from forests and mountains to areas close to human settlements. As an omnivore, it feeds on rodents, small birds, rabbits, insects, fruits, and occasionally human food waste. In Hezarjarib’s forested and mountainous landscape, the red fox plays a key ecological role in controlling rodent populations, serving as an indicator of ecosystem health.

Social Responsibility and Conservation Efforts
In 2023, the Dr. Mostafa Naraghi Charity Foundation, in collaboration with Amadeh Lazziz Food & Hygiene Company and Actover Pharmaceutical Group, undertook significant conservation initiatives in Hezarjarib to protect species such as the red fox and Caspian red deer. These efforts included:

• Installing and operating camera traps for wildlife monitoring

• Supporting the construction of ranger stations

• Providing food rations for local rangers

• Installing warning signs in sensitive areas

These measures represent an important step toward safeguarding northern Iran’s biodiversity and supporting the work of dedicated rangers in the field.