During a raid in Shahriar, police discovered 34 live birds kept in captivity by a poacher who was arrested, said Naghi Mirzakarimi, head of the Tehran office of the Department of Environment (DoE).

The birds were impounded from a house in Shahriar city, and were seized by DoE officials accompanied by local police, Mirzakarimi said.

The birds included 2 whooper swans, 1 flamingo, 1 Purple Swamphen, 3 Ruddy shelducks, 3 Greater white-fronted geese, 2 Eurasian widgeons, 3 Garganeys, 1 Eurasian teal, 7 Mallards, 3 Tufted ducks, 2 Northern pintails, 3 Gray Partridges and 3 Pin-tailed sandgrouses, IRNA news agency reported.

All the birds were donated to Pardisan Zoo Clinic in Tehran, he said, adding: �The poacher has been captured and will be produced before the judicial authorities.�
�The inspections by the DoE will continue 24/7 to prevent illegal poaching,� Mirzakarimi said.

Recently, two animal smugglers were arrested by the protection unit of Tehran�s DoE following a tip-off, trying to sell two wolf cubs. The cubs were transferred to Pardisan Zoo.

Illegal poaching is slowly becoming a problem in Iran, and officials have shown their commitment to protecting the country�s wildlife by prosecuting those who engage in the activity.

By Financial Tribune