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Al Sheikhly, O.F.
The hunting of endangered mammals in Iraq
2012 Wildlife Middle East (6): 10-10
The status and scope of the larger mammal species in Iraq is still very poorly understood. Many of the current descriptions and distributions are based on out of date information. As in many parts of the Middle East, hunting is considered to be the biggest threat facing the larger mammal species in Iraq. Many individuals and groups are taking advantage of the weak enforcement and implementation of the existing hunting regulations. The incentives leading to the persecution and extermination of these animals are many and varied and include financial through smuggling as well as traditional practices and beliefs. The article is based on many interviews, observations, specimen examination and reports from Iraqi hunting associations between August 2009 and December 2011. One of the main target species is the Persian leopard. Details on the hunting of this species did not exist until one specimen was located, ready to be smuggled at one of the national traffic points on 22nd March 2011. The source of this specimen was unknown, but possibly from Northern Iraq.
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