Veteran Iranian Ranger Killed by Poachers in Khuzestan Province
Iran’s Environmental Protection Community Mourns Another Fallen Hero
In a tragic incident that shocked Iran’s environmental protection community, veteran ranger Heydatollah Didban was shot and killed by an armed poacher while on duty in the Khāeez Protected Area, located in the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.
According to Salamat News, the 58-year-old ranger, a dedicated contract officer with over 15 years of service, was fatally shot on June 2nd, while responding to a report of illegal hunting activity. He was en route to the reported location when he was ambushed and killed inside his patrol vehicle.
Commander Reza Rastgar, head of Iran’s Environmental Protection Unit, confirmed the details, stating:
“At approximately 5:50 PM, on the road from Behbahan to the Maroon Dam near Tang-e Bostanak, Ranger Didban was shot in the head with a military-grade firearm and died on the spot.”
Following the incident, the suspected shooter fled the scene, but was apprehended in a surprise operation by local police forces. Commander Rastgar added that the murder weapon and the ranger’s stolen equipment were found in the suspect’s hideout. The accused later confessed to the crime.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue efforts to identify and apprehend other individuals potentially involved in the incident.
Ranger Didban, remembered for his courage and commitment to protecting Iran’s wildlife, gave his life defending one of the country’s most biodiverse regions. His name joins the growing list of environmental defenders in Iran who have paid the ultimate price in the line of duty.
As tributes pour in across the country, conservationists are once again calling for stronger protection and legal support for Iran’s park rangers—men and women who risk their lives daily to safeguard the nation’s natural heritage.
