Bear escapes crate in cargo hold of Iraqi Airways plane

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Bear escapes crate in cargo hold of Iraqi Airways plane | Secret Flying

Iraq’s prime minister has ordered an investigation.

 

A bear escaped from its crate in the cargo hold of an Iraqi Airways jet, delaying its flight from Dubai to Baghdad on Friday.

 

The airline insists it was not to blame for the bear’s escape, which resulted in Emirati authorities dispatching specialists to sedate the animal.

 

A video circulating on social media shows the bear poking its head out of the hold as ground crew open the cargo hold door.

 

In a statement, Iraqi Airways apologised for the incident, incorrectly stating said bear was being flown from Baghdad to Dubai.

 

​”The administration of the company apologizes to the dear travelers of the flight from Baghdad International Airport to Dubai Airport… for reasons beyond the control of the company, regarding a shipment in the cargo hold (a bear),” the statement read.

 

The carrier said procedures to transport the bear were carried out in accordance with the law and with standards approved by the International Air Transport Association.

 

Iraq’s prime minister, Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani, has ordered an investigation into the incident.

 

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, declined to comment.

 

Keeping predatory animals as pets in Iraq – especially in Baghdad – has become popular among the wealthy and authorities have struggled to enforce legal provisions to protect wild animals.

 

Iraqi police have previously called on citizens to assist authorities in preventing such animals from being let loose on the country’s streets or ending up as exotic meals in restaurants by reporting such cases.