Cats nurture, protect baby chicks in Erbil village
HARIR, Kurdistan Region — Two cats have become the unlikely guardians of baby chicks turned chickens in an Erbil village garden.
Jangir Hamad, a 48-year-old traffic policeman, lives in the village of Batas in Erbil’s Harir subdistrict. For the past six years, he's been raising cats in his garden when off duty.
This time last year, Hamad bought 15 chicks for sale in Shaqlawa, the area he works in. He was shocked at what he saw when he brought them to the cats' lair.
“When I put the chicks in my garden, I saw one of the cats rush to them," Hamad told Rudaw on Monday. "I didn't let the cat come closer, fearing that he would harm them. But then he started licking the chicks.”
Hamad has been raising stray cats in his garden for six years. Two of the cats have been taking care of the chicks and protecting them from other cats.
“Some people have called me up to buy the cats, but I said no. I enjoy raising these pets in my garden. I wish I could showcase them in public, in Erbil or in Sulaimani, and donate the money to the Nanakali or Hiwa hospitals [for cancer patients],” he added.
Stray animals like cats and dogs are commonly seen in the alleys and neighbourhoods of the Kurdistan Region. Due to a lack of shelter, they usually wait for animal lovers to either take them home or feed them.
Last week, video footage showing a wild boar shot dead by men during a Newroz picnic in Khalakan, Sulaimani province sparked outrage. People called for animals to be better protected and the men who shot the boar to be fined.
Jangir Hamad, a 48-year-old traffic policeman, lives in the village of Batas in Erbil’s Harir subdistrict. For the past six years, he's been raising cats in his garden when off duty.
This time last year, Hamad bought 15 chicks for sale in Shaqlawa, the area he works in. He was shocked at what he saw when he brought them to the cats' lair.
“When I put the chicks in my garden, I saw one of the cats rush to them," Hamad told Rudaw on Monday. "I didn't let the cat come closer, fearing that he would harm them. But then he started licking the chicks.”
Hamad has been raising stray cats in his garden for six years. Two of the cats have been taking care of the chicks and protecting them from other cats.
“Some people have called me up to buy the cats, but I said no. I enjoy raising these pets in my garden. I wish I could showcase them in public, in Erbil or in Sulaimani, and donate the money to the Nanakali or Hiwa hospitals [for cancer patients],” he added.
Stray animals like cats and dogs are commonly seen in the alleys and neighbourhoods of the Kurdistan Region. Due to a lack of shelter, they usually wait for animal lovers to either take them home or feed them.
Last week, video footage showing a wild boar shot dead by men during a Newroz picnic in Khalakan, Sulaimani province sparked outrage. People called for animals to be better protected and the men who shot the boar to be fined.