A hunting weapon, a vehicle, and several captured birds are seen following the arrest of three poachers in the Said Sadiq district of Sulaymaniyah.
27 poachers detained this year
Forest police nab three hunters in Sulaymaniyah amid crackdown on illegal hunting
SULAYMANIYAH — Sulaymaniyah’s Forest and Environmental Police arrested three hunters Sunday in the village of Kaluran in the Said Sadiq district. Authorities said the suspects were caught actively hunting and were in possession of a hunting weapon, a vehicle, and 10 captured birds.
The Forest and Environmental Police Directorate reported that 27 hunters have been detained across Sulaymaniyah Governorate since the start of 2025.
Meanwhile, in recent weeks police in Halabja arrested 21 individuals for illegal logging and hunting, seizing several pieces of equipment and felled trees.
Under the 2008 environmental protection and improvement laws in the Kurdistan Region, the hunting, killing, capturing, possession or trading of endangered species is strictly banned. Offenders face up to one month in prison and fines, with harsher penalties for repeat violations.