Wildlife of the Levant

Wildlife in the Levant encompasses all types of wild plants and animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fresh and saltwater fish, and invertebrates, that inhabit the region historically known as the Levant, Shaam, or Greater Syria. This is the region that today includes the following countries: Jordan, Palestine, Syria (including the Sanjak of Alexandretta), Lebanon, and a section of southeastern Turkey, known as the Northern Syrian provinces, to which some add Cyprus and part of the Sinai.

The Levantine region is notable for its remarkable biodiversity, which is a consequence of the region's diverse climatic conditions and its strategic location at the crossroads of the ancient world, encompassing Asia, Africa, and Europe. This has resulted in the region acting as a conduit for the migration of numerous species, both northward and southward, and has led to the formation of distinct and occasionally conflicting climatic patterns. This enabled a vast array of creatures to colonize it. A significant number of species of megafauna in the Levant have become extinct as a result of the destruction of natural habitats for the purpose of human settlement and exploitation, or due to overhunting since ancient times. Since the late 20th century, several nature reserves have been established throughout the Levant, sometimes through local and sometimes through international efforts, with the goal of preserving the remaining animal species and their natural habitats. Some of these reserves have been highly successful in preserving wildlife and their habitats.