The grey wolf in Iraq: notes on its current distribution, major threats and conservation status

The grey wolf Canis lupus is a flagship carnivore still roaming the mountains, steppes, marshland fringes, and deserts of Iraq. However, its current distribution, population size, and potential threats are little known. Evidence of the confirmed occurrence of the grey wolf in Iraq (e.g. confirmed sightings, dead/live specimens, tracks, scats, wolf attacks, and dens) were collected from April 2017 to May 2020. The species' current occurrence was confirmed in 89 sites distributed across 13 provinces. Grey wolves were sighted at 49 (55%) sites, persecuted at 31 (35%) sites, and had reliably confirmed occurrence at 81 (91%) sites throughout Iraq. The uncontrolled poaching is highlighted as a major threat for the species in Iraq. In addition, the capture/collection of grey wolf pups from the wild is documented as a new threat to the species’ population. Furthermore, melanism in grey wolves is reported for the first time in Iraq, a phenotype targeted by locals wherever possible.