Historic Red Deer Restoration Program Launched in Georgia's Algeti National Park

A historic conservation initiative to restore the red deer (Cervus elaphus maral)—a species listed on Georgia’s Red List of endangered species—has officially launched with the opening of a breeding farm in Algeti National Park. The project is part of the “National Species Restoration Plan” initiated by the National Wildlife Agency under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

The opening ceremony was attended by Shalva Papuashvili, Chairman of the Parliament of Georgia, and David Songulashvili, Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture.

“This is truly a historic step toward protecting Georgia’s biodiversity. The long-term goal of the red deer restoration program is to establish viable and sustainable populations across the country. We are committed to preserving for future generations the natural wealth that has shaped Georgia’s unique ecosystem for centuries,” said Minister Songulashvili.

The 60-hectare breeding farm, now the largest of its kind in the Caucasus, is fully fenced and equipped with modern monitoring systems, including camera traps and satellite collars for tracking the animals.

“For the first time since Georgia’s independence, the restoration of the Caucasian red deer—listed on the Red List—is underway. This is a major milestone in the broader species restoration program that is now being actively implemented in Georgia,” stated Chairman Papuashvili.

Revaz Bezhashvili, Head of the National Wildlife Agency, explained that the breeding facility offers ideal conditions for the deer’s reproduction and adaptation.

“The specially designed environment allows us to study their behavior, social dynamics, and stages of adaptation in detail. This data is essential for planning the successful reintroduction of red deer into the wild,” he noted.

During the event, seven red deer—five females and two males—originally bred at Tbilisi Zoo, were released into the protected forest area of Algeti National Park. The first stage of the program aims to increase the population to 15 individuals, after which gradual release into the wild will begin once a stable and growing population has formed.

Algeti National Park was strategically chosen for this project due to its central location in the Caucasus, intact natural habitats, ecological corridors, and a high level of protection—factors that create optimal conditions for both species restoration and long-term conservation.