Mynas and Crows Banned Under New Rules
Import, possession and trade in myna birds and crows will be banned in Bahrain, with breaches punishable by six months to a year in jail and a BD500 to BD5,000 fine, or either penalty.
The new rules also ban breeding the birds and cover all species in the Acridotheres and Corvus genera, under Decision No. 8 of 2026 issued by the Supreme Council for Environment.
The ban will take effect six months after its publication in the Official Gazette.
Anyone who already keeps one of the birds before the rules take effect will then have six months to comply. The birds cannot be released in Bahrain.
Keepers can instead hand them to the biodiversity department within the council’s executive body.
The decision draws on Article 74 of the 2022 Environment Law, which bars the introduction of invasive alien species into Bahrain and gives the council powers to protect wild plants, animals and birds.
Scientific bodies, research centres, educational institutions and other bodies can be exempted from the ban for research, scientific study or display at approved facilities.
Penalties come under Article 103 of the Environment Law, which covers breaches of Article 74 and carries six months to one year in jail and a fine of between BD500 and BD5,000, or either punishment.
The decision was issued by Shaikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Environment.
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