Sulaymaniyah authorities arrest two poachers for illegal bird hunting on first day of Ramadan

SULAYMANIYAH — Authorities arrested two poachers on the first day of Ramadan for capturing protected birds in the Sulaymaniyah’s Chamchamal district, seizing several live birds and hunting equipment, the Directorate of Forestry and Environment Police said.

“On Saturday, teams from the Forestry and Environment Police in Agjalar carried out separate patrols in the mountainous areas of Chnartoo and the village of Kharbandalu, where they apprehended two individuals engaged in illegal bird hunting,” the department said in a statement.

During the operation, officers confiscated seven live wild birds, five cages, two nets, and additional hunting equipment. By court order, the captured birds were subsequently released back into their natural habitat. The poachers have been detained and referred to court for legal proceedings.

The Forestry and Environment Police in the Kurdistan Region continue to combat poaching and illegal hunting through regular patrols, strict enforcement of penalties, and community engagement initiatives. Under the 2008 Environmental Protection and Improvement Law, hunting, capturing, or trading endangered species is strictly prohibited. Violators can face penalties including up to one month in prison and fines ranging from 150,000 Iraqi dinars (approximately $100) to 200 million dinars (approximately $133,333), with harsher consequences for repeat offenders.