Second brown bear shot dead in Balakayati border region, raising alarm over wildlife protection

SORAN — A second brown bear has been found shot dead in the Balakayati area of Erbil governorate, officials confirmed Monday, raising renewed concerns over wildlife protection in the Kurdistan Region.

The bear, an endangered species, was discovered near the village of Zangelan, located in the upper Balakayati border area within Soran’s autonomous administration near the Iranian frontier.

Hazhar Mahir, head of the Soran Directorate of Environment, told 964media the department launched an investigation after receiving reports from residents and environmentalists. “After we were alerted by 964media about the killing of a brown bear, we conducted a field investigation and confirmed the bear was shot,” Mahir said.

Authorities said the bear was found with visible bullet wounds in a sensitive security buffer zone, complicating recovery efforts. “The bear was killed in Zangelan, at the edge of the Kurdistan Region,” Mahir said. “The area is a security buffer, which makes it difficult to retrieve the bear’s body.”

Brown bears are among the rarest species globally, and the environmental directorate said the person responsible could face a fine of up to 20 million Iraqi dinars (about $14,000), if identified.

The incident marks the second confirmed brown bear killing in the area in recent months. On Aug. 14, 2024, another bear was found shot dead in the Przha area of Balakayati. “The bear’s body was found in Przha in the Balakayati area, and it had been shot. The bullet marks are visible on the body,” Mahir said at the time. That case prompted an official investigation by local police and the district governorate, though no arrests were made.

Due to the lack of preservation facilities in Soran, the first bear’s body was transferred to Erbil for taxidermy. “We had to import specific taxidermy supplies from Iran, and the specialist conducting the procedure also came from there,” Mahir said. The preserved specimen will be displayed at Halgurd-Sakran National Park.

Balakayati is known for its rugged landscape, cool climate and seasonal tourism, but it also remains a key natural habitat for brown bears. Environmentalists warn that illegal hunting and habitat loss are increasing threats.

Brown bears are large mammals native to northern Eurasia and North America. While still present in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Syria and Iran, their populations are increasingly fragmented and under pressure.