QURGHON-TEPPA, Tajikistan -- Fire in the Tigrovaya Balka wildlife reserve in southern Tajikistan destroyed eight hectares of the sanctuary on March 3, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.
Vegetation on the territory was completely burned but all the animals were rescued.
Nuriddin Saifulloev, the director of the reserve, told RFE/RL that the fire lasted several hours before the reserve’s personnel extinguished it.
He added that the dry weather is likely the major reason for the fire.
Local environmental activist Tughay Eljonov noted that poachers often set fire to the reserve.
Vegetation on the territory was completely burned but all the animals were rescued.
Nuriddin Saifulloev, the director of the reserve, told RFE/RL that the fire lasted several hours before the reserve’s personnel extinguished it.
He added that the dry weather is likely the major reason for the fire.
Local environmental activist Tughay Eljonov noted that poachers often set fire to the reserve.