Animals in Syria
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
Syria has no law naming a national animal, but the golden eagle has the strongest claim. Since July 2025 it has been the country's official emblem, with 14 wing feathers for the 14 governorates and three stars above its head, replacing an older hawk. The government says it stands for strength, determination and speed.
View details→Wildlife in Syria
Syria covers about 185,000 square kilometers. Most people live in the west, in the cities between Damascus and Aleppo and along the coast, while the Badia, an arid steppe that covers about 55 percent of the land, is left mostly to herders and desert wildlife. Going from west to east, the land moves from a short Mediterranean shore and forested coastal mountains to farmland, the green valley of the Euphrates and stony desert. Rain falls mostly in winter, with far more on the coast than in the dry interior, so many animals here live close to water.
Shepherds and Bedouin camel herders shaped the steppe for centuries, and overgrazing and deep wells had already worn it down before the war began in 2011. Syria set apart Al Talila reserve near Palmyra in 1991 to bring back desert plants and grazing animals, and in 1998 the salt lake of Sabkhat al Jabbul, a key stop for migrating water birds, became a Ramsar wetland of international importance. All six of its World Heritage sites are cultural, not natural. The war cut both ways for animals: conservationists said mines kept hunters out of parts of the Badia, while coastal forests burned and rare species were smuggled abroad.
The tourism ministry counted about 3.56 million visitors in the first 11 months of 2025, including Syrians living abroad, with the most interest in Damascus, its countryside and the coast. Few come for wildlife, though camels are still a familiar sight around the ruins of Palmyra. Wildlife follows these contrasts: wolves, hyenas and wild cats on the dry steppe, boars and foxes in the western hills, and eagles, storks and flamingos in the skies and on the wetlands.
Most Dangerous Animals in Syria
Wild animals are a small risk in Syria compared with what the war left behind. Mines and unexploded weapons in the Badia are a far greater danger than any animal there. Syria has no reliable national count of wildlife attacks that we could find, so what is known comes mostly from local reports and from studies in nearby countries.
Wild boars cause the most everyday trouble. In western Idlib, a 2023 report described herds entering fields and destroying crops and fruit trees, and residents said they feared the animals and the diseases they might spread. Boars are strong and can react with force when cornered, which makes them a real concern for people who work the land.
Striped hyenas are large carnivores, but they are mainly scavengers and attacks on people are very rare. They can still cause alarm. In 2024, families near Latakia asked the authorities for help after hearing hyenas at night in nearby orchards and seeing images shared online, although the report did not mention anyone being hurt. Residents had tried poison, which also threatens other wildlife.
Wolves are mostly a concern for shepherds. Syrian figures are scarce, but a study from northern Iran found that 81 percent of wolf conflicts there were attacks on sheep. For Syrian herders, who have already lost close to half of their flocks since 2010, any such loss is hard to absorb.
Top 10 Animals in Syria
The best known animals in Syria are spread between the dry east and the greener west, and most are hard to see. Camels are the easy exception. Bedouin families have raised them on the steppe for centuries, and they still walk around the oasis and ruins of Palmyra, although a former official said up to 20,000 were smuggled out of the country during the war.
Wolves and hyenas are much more secretive. They move at night through the steppe, the hills and the edges of farmland, and in 2024 residents near Latakia reported hearing hyenas in orchards after dark. Wild cats are harder still, since the desert species hide by day and very few people ever report them. Chameleons are small enough to go unnoticed in trees and shrubs, and they are among the protected animals that traffickers take out of the country.
Birds are often the easiest to find. Eagles and falcons hunt over the open steppe and the mountains, and storks pass through on migration in spring and autumn, following the corridor between Africa and Eurasia. The salt lake of Sabkhat al Jabbul, east of Aleppo, is the best known wetland for water birds. Fieldwork is still limited by unexploded weapons in some areas, so much of what is known about these animals comes from older surveys and local reports.
Golden Jackal
Canis aureus
The golden jackal is present across Syria in a range of habitats, from the coastal hills and river valleys of the west to the more arid margins of the steppe further inland. It is adaptable to life near farmland and villages, which has helped it persist despite years of landscape disruption across the country. Its IUCN status is Least Concern.
Badger
Meles meles
In Syria, badgers live in the wooded mountains of the northwest, along the coastal ranges and in the hills near the Turkish border, where oak woodland and scrub give them cover and soil to dig. Many scientists call them the Caucasian badger, while the IUCN counts them as Eurasian badgers. They are nocturnal and little studied in the country, feeding on insects, fruit and roots. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Hare
Lepus europaeus
The European hare lives in the more temperate parts of Syria, in the farmland and grassy hills of the northwest and along the coastal mountains and the Orontes valley. It favors open ground with grasses and crops nearby, while the dry steppe and desert to the east are home to other hares. Years of war, habitat damage and uncontrolled hunting have put pressure on wildlife, and hare numbers are poorly known. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Gray Wolf
Canis lupus
Gray wolves persist in Syria in small numbers, primarily in the more remote and less populated areas of the north and northeast, including steppe and semi arid regions near the borders with Turkey and Iraq. Decades of conflict have made systematic wildlife monitoring extremely difficult. Wolves in Syria belong to populations that are connected across the broader Middle East. Habitat degradation and hunting continue to threaten their survival. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Stone Marten
Martes foina
In Syria, the stone marten lives in the coastal mountains and in the forests and rocky slopes of the west, and a 2018 review from Damascus University confirmed it among the country's six mustelid species. It is the only marten in Syria. It hunts rodents and birds at night and eats a lot of fruit, such as figs and grapes. Years of war have made field research difficult, so little is known about its numbers. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Red Fox
Vulpes vulpes
The red fox is one of the most resilient wild mammals in Syria, found in the coastal mountains, the farmland of the Orontes and Euphrates valleys, the steppe of the interior and the edges of the Syrian Desert. It copes well with dry conditions and eats rodents, insects, fruit and scraps near villages. Years of conflict have made wildlife surveys difficult, but it is still widespread. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Roe Deer
Capreolus capreolus
The roe deer reaches the southern edge of its range in Syria, where small populations persist in the forested hills of the northwest, particularly around the Latakia and Tartus regions. Habitat loss and hunting pressure have made sightings increasingly rare. Its coat turns gray brown in winter and russet in summer, and like all roe deer, it feeds on leaves, buds, and shoots rather than grazing on grass. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Wild Boar
Sus scrofa
Wild boars in Syria live mainly in the forested coastal mountains near Latakia and in the river forests and reed beds of the Euphrates valley in the east. Because pork is not eaten by most people for religious reasons, they have traditionally faced little hunting and are seen as crop pests. Years of war have stopped most wildlife monitoring, so their current numbers are unknown. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Dromedary Camel
Camelus dromedarius
In Syria, dromedary camels inhabit the vast Syrian Desert and the steppe regions of the east, areas long used by Bedouin herders who have kept camels as working and domestic animals for thousands of years. Syrian dromedaries are valued for their milk, meat, and ability to transport loads across dry terrain. Ongoing conflict in recent years has disrupted traditional herding practices, placing pressure on camel keeping communities. IUCN status: not evaluated.
Caracal
Caracal caracal
In Syria, the caracal inhabits rocky hillsides, arid steppes, and sparse scrublands, particularly in the more remote areas away from dense human activity. Once more widespread across the Levant, its range has contracted significantly due to hunting pressure and habitat loss. This solitary cat hunts nocturnally, taking rodents, hares, and birds. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern globally, but regional populations in the Middle East face considerable pressure.
Striped Hyena
Hyaena hyaena
In Syria, striped hyenas once ranged widely across the steppes, rocky hills and desert edges of the interior, and the Syrian subspecies takes its name from the region. Years of war have made monitoring almost impossible, but they are believed to persist in remote areas. Uncontrolled hunting, poisoning and the collapse of wildlife protection put them at serious risk. They share the land with wolves and golden jackals. IUCN status: Near Threatened.
Sand Cat
Felis margarita
In Syria the sand cat lives in the eastern desert, part of the larger Syrian Desert that stretches into Jordan and Iraq. Records are few and mostly old, and years of conflict have made surveys almost impossible, so its current status in the country is poorly known. It hunts rodents, birds and reptiles at night and shares the desert with caracals and red foxes. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
Syria's Mediterranean coast holds a regionally important green turtle rookery. A 2004 survey found that the 12 kilometer stretch of beach south of Latakia ranks among the top ten nesting sites for the species in the Mediterranean, with more than 100 nests in a season. Loggerheads also nest on the coast. Years of conflict have made monitoring and protection very difficult, and the current state of the rookery is uncertain. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Chameleon
Chamaeleonidae
In Syria the common chameleon lives in the coastal and northwestern regions, especially in the scrub, orchards and mixed woodlands around Latakia and Tartus. These more humid zones along the Mediterranean fringe provide the insects and dense vegetation it needs. Years of conflict and habitat disturbance have made it very difficult to monitor wild populations. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Steppe Eagle
Aquila nipalensis
Syria lies under a major raptor flyway connecting Central Asia with Africa, and steppe eagles move through the country each spring and autumn, with a few spending the winter. The open steppe of the east and center offers foraging for birds pausing on migration. Years of war have made systematic monitoring in Syria very difficult, so conservationists know little about current numbers here. IUCN status: Endangered.
Griffon Vulture
Gyps fulvus
In Syria, the griffon vulture historically nested along the limestone cliffs of the coastal mountain ranges and the Anti-Lebanon mountains. Sightings have been recorded in the northwestern highlands and near the Euphrates valley. The species has suffered severe pressure due to ongoing conflict, habitat degradation, and reduced availability of wild prey. Reliable population data for Syria is currently limited, though the species is presumed to still pass through or reside in smaller numbers. Its IUCN status is Least Concern.
Lanner Falcon
Falco biarmicus
In Syria, the lanner falcon is recorded mainly as a passage migrant, moving through the rocky steppe, desert plateaus and river valleys such as the Euphrates rather than settling to breed. It hunts doves and smaller birds across open terrain on its way. Ongoing conflict has severely limited wildlife monitoring in the country. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, though its current status within Syria is difficult to assess.
Eagle Owl
Bubo bubo
The eagle owl occurs across Syria in rocky desert terrain, river valleys such as the Euphrates corridor, and the more rugged areas of the Anti Lebanon mountains. It is largely nocturnal and hunts rodents, hares, and large insects in arid landscapes. Ongoing conflict has made systematic monitoring difficult, but the species is considered present and breeding in suitable habitat across the country. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Saker Falcon
Falco cherrug
Syria serves as both a migration corridor and a wintering area for the saker falcon, with birds travelling through the region on their way between Central Asian breeding grounds and African or Arabian wintering sites. The open steppes and semi arid plains of inland Syria provide suitable stopover and foraging habitat. Ongoing instability in the country has made systematic conservation monitoring extremely difficult. The saker falcon is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Barn Owl
Tyto alba
The barn owl is found across Syria in open farmland, scrubland, and areas near villages from the fertile Orontes Valley and the Hauran plateau to the drier steppe zones of the interior. It nests in old buildings, ruins, cliff faces, and hollow trees, and hunts rodents at night. In the agricultural regions of northwestern Syria and the Euphrates valley it provides natural control of small mammal populations. Its presence in ancient ruins and historic structures, of which Syria has many, gives it a distinctive role in the country's landscape.
White tailed Eagle
Haliaeetus albicilla
In Syria, the white tailed eagle is a winter visitor and passage migrant, appearing along the Euphrates valley, at Lake Assad and at wetlands near the coast. These places offer the fish and waterfowl it needs in the colder months. War and habitat loss have added pressure on wildlife across the country. Little survey data is available, so its numbers here are not well known. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Crane
Grus grus
Syria sits on the eastern flyway used by common cranes traveling between Russia, Turkey and their wintering grounds in the Middle East and Africa. Large flocks cross the country each autumn and spring, resting in farmland and wetlands, and some birds stay through the winter. The Euphrates valley, the Orontes plain and the Jabbul salt lake near Aleppo are key stopover areas for the species. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Stork
Ciconia ciconia
Syria is an important transit country for white storks moving along the eastern Mediterranean flyway. The Euphrates and Orontes river valleys, along with surrounding farmland, provide resting and feeding opportunities for migrating flocks in spring and autumn. Storks have also nested in some parts of the country historically. With its striking white and black plumage and tall stance, the white stork is a well known figure in Syrian rural culture and tradition. IUCN status: Least Concern.
White Wagtail
Motacilla alba
Syria lies on a busy migration route, and the white wagtail passes through in large numbers each spring and autumn, with many birds staying for the winter. From October to March it is common along the Euphrates and Orontes valleys, around wetlands such as the Jabbul salt lake, on irrigated farmland and in towns, where it hunts insects on the ground with its tail constantly bobbing. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Peregrine Falcon
Falco peregrinus
The peregrine falcon occurs in Syria primarily as a passage migrant, moving through the country each spring and autumn between its breeding and wintering grounds. Rocky escarpments and open valleys can attract individual birds during these journeys. Ongoing conflict in Syria has made systematic wildlife monitoring difficult, but the species remains listed as Least Concern by the IUCN across its global range.
Nightingale
Luscinia megarhynchos
The nightingale breeds in Syria in riparian thickets, gardens, and areas of dense scrub, particularly in the wetter western parts of the country near the coast and along river valleys. Males sing powerfully through spring nights, a sound deeply woven into the region's poetry and cultural tradition. Many birds also pass through on migration heading toward African wintering grounds. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Golden Eagle
Aquila chrysaetos
In Syria, the golden eagle is a resident of the mountains, including the Anti Lebanon range, the coastal mountains and parts of the north, with more birds arriving in winter. It hunts hares, partridges and tortoises over open stony terrain and nests on cliffs. Years of war have made monitoring impossible, so its current status is unknown. Pairs need huge territories here, because prey is thin on the ground. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Flamingo
Phoenicopteridae (6 species)
The greater flamingo lives in Syria, where its most important site is Sabkhat al Jabbul, a large salt lake east of Aleppo. Thousands of flamingos have been recorded there, and the lake is one of the key wetlands for the species in the Middle East, although water levels and conflict have made it hard to monitor. The birds filter brine shrimp and algae from the lake's shallow, salty water. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Eurasian Magpie
Pica pica
In Syria, the Eurasian magpie lives mainly in the north and west, in the farmland, orchards and river valleys of the Orontes and the Euphrates, the coastal mountains and the area around Aleppo. It avoids the dry steppe and desert of the east and south. It stays all year, builds a domed nest of sticks in trees, and eats insects, fruit, grain and scraps. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Common Kingfisher
Alcedo atthis
In Syria the common kingfisher is mainly a winter visitor and passage migrant, arriving from the north in autumn. It is found along the Euphrates and Orontes rivers, on reservoirs and fish ponds, and along the Mediterranean coast near Latakia, where it fishes in harbors and river mouths. Most birds leave again in spring to breed farther north. IUCN status: Least Concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
What animals live in Syria?
Syria is home to mammals such as gray wolves, striped hyenas, golden jackals, red foxes, wild boars, badgers, caracals, sand cats and dromedary camels. Its birds include golden eagles, griffon vultures, saker falcons, storks, cranes and flamingos, and it also has chameleons and, in its waters, sea turtles.
What is the national animal of Syria?
Syria has no law naming a national animal. The closest match is the golden eagle, which became the official national emblem on July 3, 2025, replacing the hawk used on the previous coat of arms.
Are there dangerous animals in Syria?
A few animals can be dangerous, mainly wild boars, striped hyenas and gray wolves, but serious attacks on people are rarely reported. Boars do most of their damage to crops, and wolves mainly threaten livestock. Mines left by the war are a much greater risk in the open country.
What animals live in the Syrian Desert?
The Syrian Desert and the Badia steppe are home to animals adapted to heat and little water, such as sand cats, caracals, striped hyenas, gray wolves and hares. Falcons and steppe eagles hunt over the open ground, and herders keep dromedary camels there.
Are there camels in Syria?
Yes. Dromedary camels have long been part of Bedouin life on the Syrian steppe, and Palmyra once opened its annual festival with camel races. The war hit the herds hard, and a former government official said up to 20,000 camels were smuggled out of the country.
Researched and written by Juan Pablo. Sources: IUCN Red List, scientific literature and regional field guides. Last updated: .