Iraq’s water buffalo herds dwindle as drought and dams shrink ancient marshlands

The ancient Mesopotamian marshlands of southern Iraq are facing an existential crisis as prolonged drought and reduced water flows devastate the region's iconic water buffalo herds. These animals, deeply rooted in the area's cultural heritage, are not just livestock but a vital part of the local economy and identity. UNESCO-listed as a world heritage site in 2016, the marshes have shrunk dramatically from 20,000 square kilometres to just 4,000, threatening biodiversity and the livelihoods of traditional herders.
Upstream dams in Turkiye have slashed water flows to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers by 60 percent, while climate change has pushed summer temperatures above 50 degrees Celsius. The resulting increased salinity and contamination have led to the death of nearly a third of the water buffalo population in the past four years. Without international support, experts warn that these unique wetlands, home to endangered species and ancient Sumerian traditions, could vanish entirely—taking with them a way of life that has endured for millennia.

Al Jazeera's Mahmoud AbdelWahed reports from Al Chibayish Marshes, Iraq.

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Post from Al Jazeera on August 17, 2025

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