The Reality of Alien and Invasive Animal Species between Environmental Risks and Economic Opportunities

The University of Baghdad’s Natural History Research Center and Museum, in collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research/Department of Research and Development, hosted a significant scientific symposium on May 8, 2025. Under the theme “The Reality of Alien and Invasive Animal Species between Environmental Risks and Economic Opportunities ” the symposium, attended by notable figures including Prof. Dr. Ali Abdul Amir and Asst. Dr. Khaled Omran Ali, focused on monitoring and mitigating the impact of invasive species such as the giant African snail and the palm weevil on Iraq’s ecological balance. Discussions led to recommendations emphasizing public education, robust quarantine protocols, and biological control strategies.