Tehran – Iranian environmentalists proposed establishing a special award in recognition of the deceased birds, particularly the dedicated Finnish protectionist Eren Vuosaro, who worked hard for more than 50 years in Mazandaran, the Caspian Sea, to preserve the dead birds, especially the Siberian cranes.
Vuosaro, known as the mother of Siberian cranes, has made her a famous and influential figure for preserving the migratory birds of Mazandaran.
She was the first researcher to start researching cranes in Iran. She was invited to attend numerous scientific conferences to present her experiences, and her efforts were always respected, highly valued and appreciated during her lifetime, the IRNA reported.
Dedicated over 50 years of her life to protecting these cranes was motivated by her ruthless passion for wildlife, not by her desire for recognition.
Despite frequent visits to her home country, she always returned to the marsh of Feredun Kanel, the ultimate migratory bird of the Western population of Siberian cranes. She helped form the Mazandarrank Lane Conservation Society.
During these 50 years, Vuosaro attended the Hariri Science Foundation in Babolu several times a year, teaching and introducing migratory birds and Siberian cranes to students and all interested people.
In addition to conducting numerous research and scientific activities on zoology, migratory birds, biotechnology, biochemistry, nanotechnology and chemistry, Vuosalo has collaborated with several universities in the country, including Mazandaran University.
Apart from her scientific work, she did her best to educate hunters, ranchers and communities and convince them to stop hunting. Eren’s research also focuses on preserving Damga, a traditional Iranian wetland combustion system.
Important to migratory birds, these areas were also a source of livelihood for the community. She believed that if these systems were managed sustainably, they could protect the cranes while supporting local people.
She taught me about conservation as much about learning from resilience and failure as well as success. Her life’s work challenges future conservatories to adapt, innovate and address deeper systemic issues that threaten biodiversity. In honor of Eren’s memory, we honor the lessons she has left behind. This is a call to last, even if the odds seem insurmountable.
She died at the age of 95 in Royan, Mazandaran, as confirmed extinction of the Iranian species. Her life reminds me that love and determination are essentially not enough for protection. The interaction of unpredictable and uncontrollable variables, from climate change to species-specific behavior, is in demand for adaptive strategies and systematic approaches.
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