BATIFA – THREE LEGGED PANTHER IN IRAQ
“Saving one animal may seem small, but to that animal, it means everything.
Every act of care restores hope and reminds us of our shared responsibility
to a world where wildlife can thrive.“
BATIFA – THREE LEGGED RARE LEOPARD
How much must one animal endure?
Batifa, a wild, male Persian leopard – one of the world’s most endangered big cat species (only an 800 – 1,000 are left in fragmented pockets across the Middle East and Central Asia) – has spent more than two years confined to a small concrete cage in a zoo in Duhok, Kurdistan.
He was severely injured after being caught in a villager’s trap, losing a hind leg and several teeth. Because of these injuries, he can never return to the wild.
His capture initially sparked international attention, with promises from officials in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government to find him a proper home. Conservation experts even attempted to relocate him to a reputable zoo abroad with a breeding program. But political resistance and bureaucratic barriers prevented his transfer, and every proposed solution has stalled.
Today, Batifa lives in harsh, unnatural conditions: a dark 10 foot by 13 foot room attached to a barren concrete enclosure, surrounded by the noise of city streets, unruly zoo visitors, and barking dogs. He spends most of his days inside, retreating from the constant chaos around him. What was meant to be temporary housing has become indefinite confinement.
Thanks to the quiet dedication of our partner Andy Blue, along with the generous support of our donors, Batifa’s living conditions were improved earlier this year when Andy traveled to Kurdistan to provide hands-on assistance. While these improvements offered immediate relief, they remain a short-term fix; what Batifa needs most is a secure, long-term sanctuary where he can live in peace.
Batifa has endured injury, trauma, and years of poor care and housing. Despite local vets calling for change and proposals for a small conservation area within Kurdistan, no government funding has materialized.
He has simply been forgotten. But it is not too late.
We are working to secure his relocation to a sanctuary where he can finally live in a spacious, natural environment – safe, cared for, and free from the concrete box he has known for years. Your support can help make this long-delayed rescue happen.
This leopard has survived the worst. Now he needs a chance at the life he deserves.
PRESS ARTICLES
The Guardian – Batifa’s Story: Rare Persian Leopard Held in Kurdistan: A rare Persian leopard in Iraqi Kurdistan was severely injured after being caught in a villager’s trap, leading to the amputation of one hind leg and the loss of several canine teeth, making survival in the wild impossible. Now kept in a small enclosure at a Duhok zoo, the leopard lives in stressful, inadequate conditions with no proper rehabilitation facility available in the region. Conservationists argue it would be better transferred to a specialized center abroad for long-term care or potential breeding, but local authorities intend to keep it in the country. With the species endangered and only a few dozen remaining in Iraq, experts fear the current situation fails both the animal’s welfare and broader conservation goals. (February 21, 2022)
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/21/rare-persian-leopard-held-in-kurdistan-zoo-faces-uncertain-future
SPECTRUM NEWS 1- ANDY’S WORK WITH BATIFA: Follows Andy’s journey to Iraq to help create a better home for the Bativa after seeing the after watching a video of the poor three-legged leopard throwing himself against the bars of his cage in stress and frustration. A sight Andy couldn’t get out of his mind – he raised some money and paid for the rest himself to help. (February 21, 2022)
https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/southern-california/news/2025/04/21/san-diego-man-works-with-iraqi-animal-welfare-advocates-to-help-rare-persian-leopard-in-iraq?cid=id-app15_m-share_s-web_cmp-app_launch_august2020_c-producer_posts_po-organic
ABC NEWS – Andy Blue helps Batifa with a more supportive home: Andy Blue, travels to Iraq to help a rare and injured Persian leopard named Batifa being kept in a small enclosure at Duhok Zoo. The leopard was badly wounded after being caught in a trap, which led to the amputation of one of his legs, making him unable to survive in the wild. Andy brings in supplies—including enrichment materials and building materials—to renovate Batifa’s cage: he and local helpers build hiding spots, climbing platforms, and elevated areas so Batifa has more space and stimulation. The video also touches on efforts to relocate the leopard to a proper sanctuary, where he could live more naturally or potentially breed, rather than remain in his confined and stressful zoo living situation. (Feb 26, 2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u78nTJhE12Y
AFP News Agency – Batifa’s life saving amputation and living conditions: a badly injured male Persian leopard who was captured in northern Iraq after his leg was severely damaged in a trap. Surgeons amputated his right hind leg in an effort to save his life. After the operation, the video shows him confined to a small, barren concrete enclosure with metal bars, pacing anxiously and struggling with limited space. His movements are strained, and the environment offers no enrichment, privacy, or natural habitat—highlighting the harsh, inadequate conditions he now faces despite surviving the surgery. The footage emphasizes both his resilience and the urgent need for better care. (Dec 31, 2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7RCeIwKH3s
PHOTOS
VIDEO
Click this link for short video on how perpetually stressful his environment is for him:
https://www.instagram.com/p/C8WgdWeIwkP/
UPDATES
Continued negotiations
With Andy’s visit creating renewed interest from media outlets and supporters, the American Consulate in Erbil, Iraq is contacted to continue the negotiations with Baghdad.
On-the-ground advocacy by Andy Blue
After seeing a video from the zoo vet Sulaiman Tameer of stressed Batifa throwing himself against the cage bars, animal-welfare specialist Andy Blue traveled to Duhok Zoo to improve Batifa’s enclosure (added hiding places, enrichment, a climbing ladder) and renewed advocacy for sanctuary relocation. Andy and Heart of the Wild raised some money and Andy paid for the remainder on his own.
Local sanctuary proposal (Zawita)
Duhok authorities drafted a plan for a fenced ~1-hectare conservation area for Batifa and requested funding ($228,000).
No approval from Baghdad; funding not secured.
Attempts to get a permit to transfer Batifa to sanctuary
Hana Raza – Leopards Beyond Borders worked to secure a CITES export permit for Batifa to go to Lisbon Zoo. Reason it failed: Iraqi government refused to sign the CITES export permit; Kurdish and Baghdad officials reportedly concerned Iraq would “lose ownership” of Batifa. (this was ongoing through all of 2022 & 2023)
Transfer Discussions and negotiations
Discussions occurred among local authorities, vets, and conservationists, but there was hesitation due to political/ownership concerns (Iraq/Kurdistan authorities worried about “losing ownership”).
Suggestion to transfer him to Sanctuary
IUCN experts raised the idea that Batifa should be moved to a “rehabilitation center,” because keeping him in the zoo long-term is very problematic
Second Amputation
International vets (from IUCN team) amputate again, removing the leg just below the hip joint
First Amputation
After assessing the damages Dr Tameer determines amputation is the only option. Transferred to the Duhok Zoo in Kurdistan
Transferred to Duhok Zoo
He is transferred to Duhok Zoo and placed in an uncomfortable and stressful enclosure without any place to hide for comfort.
Batifa is rescued from trap
After suffering with his leg in a trap for many days – he is rescued and taken to Dr Sulaiman Tameer for treatment.