According to official reports released by the National Committee for Ecology and Climate Change, a severe wildlife crime has been uncovered, involving the illegal hunting of protected animals in the Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan. The incident highlights ongoing challenges in enforcing environmental protections and reining in illegal poaching activities across remote areas of the country.

The case came to light during routine inspection operations in the Samarkand region, where law enforcement officers stopped a white "Niva Legend" vehicle for a routine check. Upon inspecting the cargo carrier on the roof of the vehicle, authorities discovered eight sacks containing the butchered remains of one bear and three wild boars.

Subsequent investigative measures revealed that the animals had been unlawfully hunted in the mountainous terrain of the Sariosiyo district in the Surkhandarya region. The poachers allegedly slaughtered a Tien Shan brown bear, a species strictly protected and listed in the Red Book of Uzbekistan, alongside three wild boars. Environmental experts calculated the total financial damage caused to local wildlife at an estimated 679.8 million soms.

Following the discovery, hunting rifles, ammunition, and related documents were confiscated and handed over to the internal affairs department of the Samarkand region for temporary storage, while the vehicle was towed to an impound lot. Authorities have initiated a criminal case against the suspects under Article 202, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan, which penalizes the illegal hunting of specially protected animals or species listed in the Red Book.

Source: www.gazeta.uz