Shirvan State Reserve

Shirvan State Reserve in Azerbaijan was established on the area of 177.45 square kilometres (68.51 sq mi) of a part of Bendovan State Game reserve in 1969 for the purpose of protecting and increasing the number of water birds.

Water reserves account for 35 square kilometres (14 sq mi) of the area.

Rare and valuable birds nest and winter in the swampy areas.

[1] The names of the reserve and national park appear to be derived from the word Shīr (Persian: شیر, 'Lion').

The Asiatic lion used to occur in the Trans-Caucasus, including this area, before the end of the 10th century.