A new discovery of the “Mysterious white blinds” – a new population of the Haditha Blind Cave Garra Garra widdowsoni is recently discovered in a new locality in Haditha in western Iraq
For decades, the status of the Haditha Blind Cave Garra Garra widdowsoni (Trewavas, 1955) is enigmatic. Since its first description by Trewavas (1955) in Sheik Hadid shrine Sinkhole (previously named Haditha Hole), the only known locality for the species in northern Haditha District in Anbar Governorate of western Iraq, information on its persistence in the area were very scarce.
The blind cavefish underwent through several biological studies afterwards (e.g., Niazi 1965; Peters and Peters 1965; Banister and Bunni 1980), where additional G. widdowsoni fish samples were collected form the same Holotype site at Sheik Hadid. In summer 2010 and subsequent spring of 2012, our technical expert (Dr. Omar Al-Sheikhly) visited the Holotype site and secured very few additional G. widdowsoni specimens while another co-existing little-known blind cavefish Caecocypris basimi Banister & Bunni, 1980 which described by Banister and Bunni in 1980 was absent. The finds of that expedition along with the 1st photographic documentation of G. widdowsoni from Sheik Hadid shrine Sinkhole was published in (Al-Sheikhly and Freyhof 2013) which represents the last insight on species’ range form that forgotten site in western Iraq.
Al-Sheikhly and Freyhof (2013) indicated there were very few fish left at Sheik Hadid Sinkhole and its future is unknown. habitat destruction as water abstraction from the sinkhole itself seems to be the major threat. Moreover, the level of groundwater is greatly impacted by hydrological modifications and dams on the upstream Euphrates River basin.
On 10th of August 2026, our Iraqi Green Climate Organization team in cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of Interior and Iraqi Environmental Police conducted a field survey to Haji Ali Sinkhole, ca. 3.3 km west of K3 area in southern Haditha which represents a new locality for G. widdowsoni in western Iraq, more than 10 km to the south of the Holotype site at Sheik Hadid Sinkhole, in the middle of Haditha desert. The team found large numbers of spawning white blind cavefishes with a max total length of more than 10 cm in an underwater system inside a deep cavern were observed and a new G. widdowsoni population for Iraq being discovered.
It is worth mentioning that G. widdowsoni being listed as Critically Endangered (CE) by the IUCN Red List; the species is endemic to a Karst system at Haditha with an Extent Of Occurrence (EOO) is unknown but is suspected to be less than 100 km², and it is known from one location (Sheik Hadid Sinkhole) where in a very devastated situation (source: Garra widdowsoni in the IUCN Red List: https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22601/135918807#assessment-information).
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Iraq is taking a proactive approach to combat pollution and protect the environment. One of the key strategies is the development of the carbon market, which aims to incentivize businesses to reduce their carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices. Additionally, expert advice on carbon management is being offered to support organizations in implementing effective measures. Another crucial aspect is the preservation of biodiversity in Iraq. Various activities are being undertaken to maintain the rich flora and fauna in the country, ensuring the sustainable coexistence of humans and nature. By addressing these environmental challenges head-on, Iraq is demonstrating its commitment to a greener and more sustainable future for its citizens and the planet as a whole. Our endeavors are centered on the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals, with a commitment to fostering a more sustainable future for Iraq.
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The mission of the Iraq Green Climate Organisation (IGCO) revolves around several key objectives. These include the protection and preservation of Iraq's natural ecosystems and biodiversity, fostering sustainable practices that balance human development with ecological stewardship, and enhancing public health through strategic environmental initiatives. IGCO also proactively addresses climate change challenges by identifying and implementing solutions to safeguard Iraq's long-term resilience. Notably, IGCO promotes eco-tourism, advocating for a sustainable and responsible approach that showcases Iraq's unique natural and cultural assets while contributing to their preservation. Additionally, the organization aligns its efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing goals related to poverty eradication, clean water, affordable and clean energy, economic growth, climate action, marine life, terrestrial ecosystems, and global partnerships for sustainable development. The IGCO also reintroduced several endangered or illegally captured animal species back into their natural habitat.
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