Local deer population under stress
Three wild deer rescued from house in Chamchamal, authorities say
CHAMCHAMAL — Environmental and Forestry Police in Sulaymaniyah announced on Thursday the rescue of three wild deer from a residence in the district of Chamchamal.
Officers, acting on a tip that a local home was illegally holding the animals, executed a raid authorized by judicial order. The deer were initially taken into custody by the Chamchamal Forestry Police and subsequently released back into their natural habitat, following directives from the presiding judge.
Authorities warned that the possession of wild animals without proper authorization would lead to confiscation of the animals and their return to the wild, as enforced by the environmental police.
The local deer population has been under considerable stress, officials noted. During the breeding season starting May 5, Garmiyan Forest Police detained 15 individuals over the course of a month on charges of poaching and illegal trade in the Garmiyan area of Sulaymaniyah, with additional warrants issued for ten others.
The Garmiyan Environmental Protection Organization has documented a stark decline in deer numbers, with the population dropping from 12,000 in 2013 to fewer than 5,000 by 2020. This decrease has been largely attributed to relentless hunting and trading activities.
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