PHOTOS: Bear released into Kurdistan nature returns to urban area

One of the four bears released into the mountainous areas of Choman earlier this month resurfaced in the town of Haji Omaran on Monday evening.

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – One of the four bears released into the mountainous areas of Choman earlier this month resurfaced in the town of Haji Omaran on Monday evening.

On April 8, the Kurdish American Cooperation Organization released four bears into the Halgurd and Kodo mountainous area in the province of Erbil. The area is also known as Halgurd – Sakran National Park near the town of Choman.

The head of the organization, Blend Brifkani, previously informed Kurdistan24 the bears were kept as pets for years by some Kurdish locals.

On Monday, photos circulating on social media networks showed one of the released bears returned to an urban area in Choman, walking the streets and even entering homes and buildings.

The bear's appearance in the area caused major concerns for the people of the town. Nevertheless, Mayor of Choman Ahmed Qadir told Kurdistan24 “the bear did not harm anyone or anything."

 

He mentioned the bear has now disappeared and the Kurdish American Organization is trying to find and return it to a supervised animal park.

 

Editing by Gabrielle Renaud

One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)
One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)
One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)
One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)
One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)
One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)
One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)
One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)
One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)
One of the released bears into Kurdistan nature appears in Haji Omaran town in Erbil Province, April 17, 2017. (Photo: Social Media)