An Iranian park ranger was killed on Wednesday in an armed confrontation with illegal hunters at Golestan National Park, marking the second such death this year.
Mahmoud Shahmoradi was killed by direct gunfire during a patrol operation while pursuing wildlife violators at the park in northeastern Iran, according to Iranian media reports.
One of the attackers was arrested at the scene on Wednesday, while a second suspect was identified and detained early on Thursday in North Khorasan province, police said.
Videos circulated online showing the removal of Shahmoradi’s body, with his tearful colleagues speaking about the vulnerability of park rangers.
One ranger in the footage said, “We work hard for this country’s environment… We don’t deserve to die like this.”
Shahmoradi’s death is the second killing of a park ranger this year.
In June, Hedayatollah Dideban, a ranger in the Khaiz area of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, was also shot and killed by violators.
The latest killing brings to 152 the number of park rangers who have been killed in confrontations with armed individuals in recent years.
No specific law has yet been enacted to provide judicial and security protection for rangers.
Golestan National Park, where the attack happened, was Iran’s first registered national park and is listed as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.
Despite its global importance, its defenders remain vulnerable to hunters.
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