The National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development has confiscated 37 lions and tigers that were smuggled into the Kingdom over the past two years.
“These animals entered the country in violation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora,” Ahmad Boug, general director of the National Wildlife Research Center was quoted as saying in a local newspaper.
He stressed that the convention prohibits the selling, buying and keeping of these animals without proper authorization.
He confirmed that regulations do not allow anyone to have a lion in a residential area. “The animal must be transferred to a specialized animal center,” said Boug.
He added that one person committed a crime by cutting the claws of a lion.
Boug explained that the case involving a lion cub that escaped from its owner in Makkah will be dealt with according to relevant government procedures.
“The municipality and police department should prevent this kind of danger and threat to citizens, after making sure, through the Ministry of Interior, that it entered the country in a legal way,” he added.
The commission should also confiscate the lion and press charges against its owner.
“The owner will most probably not get any compensation,” said Boug.
37 smuggled lions and tigers seized
