Shafaq News- Baghdad
Iraq's Ministry of Environment on Friday ordered owners of predatory andprotected wild animals to surrender them to authorities within 10 days, warningthat those who fail to comply could face confiscation of their animals andlegal action.
The ministry linked the measure to the increasing number of wild animalskept on private property and the risks they pose to public safety and theenvironment.
Shafaq News previously documented a black market for smuggled lion cubs,with animals selling for as much as $4,000. The report also examined thedangers of keeping predators in residential neighborhoods for display orprestige following an incident in Najaf province’s Kufa district, where a lionkilled its owner.
