Baghdad: The Ministry of Environment has issued a stern warning to individuals who own predatory, wild, and endangered animals, urging them to officially surrender these animals to the ministry’s directorates in various governorates. Owners have been given a strict deadline of ten days, beginning Saturday, to comply with this directive.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, this initiative is grounded in Article (18/Second and Third) of the Environmental Protection and Improvement Law No. (27) of 2009, as well as Article (8) of the Law on Iraq’s Accession to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) No. (29) of 2012. These provisions explicitly prohibit the possession, hunting, or trading of wild and endangered animals.

The Ministry emphasized that individuals who voluntarily comply within the stipulated time frame will not face any legal repercussions. However, those who fail to adhere to this directive will see their animals confiscated, and they will be referred to the judiciary. This action will be taken in coordination with the Environmental Police Directorate and other relevant authorities. The Ministry highlighted that the unauthorized possession of such animals poses risks to public safety, social peace, and ecological balance.