Dr. Mustafa Mohammed Omar, a faculty member at the College of Agriculture, University of Kirkuk, participated in a scientific symposium organized by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in collaboration with the Natural History Research Center and Museum at the University of Baghdad. The event focused on the reality of exotic and invasive animal species in Iraq, balancing their environmental risks and potential economic opportunities. It was attended by researchers, academics, and specialists in the field.
Dr. Omar highlighted that the symposium aimed to monitor invasive and exotic species spreading across Iraq, assess their impact on the environment and biodiversity, and address threats to native species and ecological balance. Examples discussed included:
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- Giant African Snail
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- Screwworm Fly
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- Black Widow Spider
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- Red Palm Weevil
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- African Catfish
He emphasized that the symposium recommended raising cultural and societal awareness about exotic species in Iraq’s environment through workshops, seminars, and targeted campaigns. This would help mitigate ecological disruptions while exploring sustainable ways to leverage potential economic benefits, such as controlled utilization of certain species.
