Baghdad: The Ministry of Environment announced the re-release of animals and birds confiscated from Baghdad’s Al-Ghazl Market into their natural habitat in Al-Chibayish Marshes, Dhi Qar province.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the move is in line with the directives of Minister of Environment Dr. Helo Al-Askari as part of an integrated approach to protecting biodiversity. The ministry, with support from the Environmental Protection Fund, initiated a series of field measures that started with an extensive awareness and inspection campaign at Al-Ghazl Market, concluding with the release of the confiscated animals and birds into their natural environment.

The ministry’s statement detailed that the inspection campaign, conducted on Friday with the participation of environmental police units, aimed to monitor the sale of animals and birds, prevent the trade of prohibited or endangered species, and raise awareness among traders and citizens about the risks these practices pose to public health and ecological balance.

The efforts led to the confiscation of several endangered animals and birds. The environmental process was completed by transferring them to Dhi Qar province, where they underwent necessary technical examinations before being released into Al-Chibayish Marshes.