Iran's Woodcocks Saved From Italian Kitchens The September 11 attacks on the United States and the resulting fear of air travel have taken their toll on Iran's hunting tourism industry, to the benefit of the Iranian woodcock. Much sought after by foreign hunters, notably the Italians who take the woodcock back home and serve them up as a delicacy in their restaurants, the tiny birds which are mostly found in the northern Gilan and Mazandaran provinces were spared this season. "The tourism business has slowed since the attacks on the United States," Ali Jafari, the 34-year-old vice president of the exclusive Iran Safari tour agency, told AFP. "Between 50 and 60 percent of the hunters have cancelled their tours" for this year's season, which began in September and lasts till March. An official from Gilan province Environment Protection Organization said: "It is good for the woodcock," he added. laughing. "Iranian hunters can't afford to pay 20 dollars for each bird they shoot. They can buy it on the local market for 1,000 tomans (1.20 dollars)." "Yes, the price of hunting is very high, maybe around 4,000 dollars per person for each tour," an Italian diplomat who asked not to be named said. "Additional money has to be paid for every animal (shot)." "We keep telling the hunters that the war is in Afghanistan, not in Iran!", the Iranian official added. Tourism industry, which had grown by 20 percent since the first election of President Mohammad Khatami in 1997, has suffered badly from the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington that Tehran was exceptionally quick to condemn. Deputy Culture Minister Mohammad Moezzedin, head of the state tourism organization, said in late September that the attacks had nearly brought the industry to a standstill. (end) Condensed from a report by AFP Khorsheed.com - Dec 2001