Wildlife of the Levant

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The wildlife of the Levant encompasses all types of wild plants and animals that inhabit the region historically known as the Levante, the Sham or Greater Syria. This vast area includes countries such as Jordan, Palestine, Syria (including the Sanjak of Alexandretta), Lebanon, parts of southeastern Turkey, Cyprus, and Sinai.

The geological structure and remarkable diversity of its terrain, climate, fauna, and flora have made the Levant a unique region for wildlife conservation. The eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea extends eastward to the borders of Mesopotamia, while the Taurus Mountains in the north meet the Sinai Peninsula in the south. This diverse landscape supports an extensive range of ecosystems, including mountains, plains, and coastal areas.

The Amanous Range stretches up to the Orontes River gully in the Gulf of Suwaidiya, with a maximum elevation of 2,240 meters. In contrast, the Akkar Plain differentiates the Nusairiya Mountains from their southern extension within Mount Lebanon, where the highest mountains reach an altitude of 3,088 meters in Qurnat as Sawda'. The Nablus Mountains feature Mount Ebal, with a peak height of 981 meters, while the Hebron Mountains reach their highest point at Halhul, standing at 1,020 meters.

The Jabal al-Balaas mountain range, part of the Palmyrene mountains, is home to Mount Abdulaziz and Jabal al-Druze. The latter's highest peaks in Jabal al-Druse reach approximately 1,840 meters, with a deep valley extending between these two ranges, forming the northern portion of the Great Rift Valley.

The Levant has been an important region for biodiversity due to its unique geographical location at the crossroads of three ancient continents: Asia, Africa, and Europe. This has allowed many species to migrate north-south and vice versa, resulting in a rich variety of flora and fauna. However, human settlement and exploitation have led to the extinction of several large animal species since ancient times.

In recent years, local and international efforts have been made to preserve what remains of wild animal species and their habitats through the establishment of natural reserves throughout the Levant. These conservation initiatives aim to protect the region's diverse ecosystems and promote sustainable development in agriculture and other sectors.

The Levant is also considered a cradle for many plant species that were domesticated, including wheat (two types