The increases in recent rumors about the presence of mercury element in the bat nests and its monetization have caused concern among environmental advocacy organisations.

Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has been informed that in the spread of recent rumours about the presence of mercury element in bat nests with a significant financial value has led many people to bait hunting in different parts of Iran’s Kurdistan. According to such rumours, the value of mercury element found in bat nests is estimated to be between 20 and 100 million Tomans. Therefore, many people in financial difficulty due to poor economic situations have destructed the bat habitats in the caves.

As a result of such actions, environmental activists have expressed their serious concern that not only such rigorous rumors are baseless but also the spread of such rumours have led to the destruction of these creatures and their habitat.

In this regard, an environmental expert in a conversation has strongly denied the presence of mercury element in the bat nests while heavily criticising the exploiters and the perpetrators of the rumours in an interview with KHRN.

The increasing rate of unemployment, poverty and economic problems, especially in different parts of Kurdistan, has caused the deprived community of Kurdistan to accept any rumour (even if far from reality) in their strive to earn a living.