VISITORS frequent Al-Khobah market in Al-Harth governorate to purchase wild animals that a person would otherwise only see in zoos, Al-Hayat daily reported.

 

For decades the market has been known for its traditional items but it also has areas where vendors hawk wild animals and birds. Visitors from all over the Kingdom and even neighboring countries frequent the market to buy these animals.

 

In a corner of the old market, Ahmed Itteen spoke about his hobby selling rare animals.

 

“For the past five years I have been selling lynxes, hyenas, wolves and foxes. I developed this hobby a long time ago and it’s profitable so I will continue doing it,” he said.

 

Itteen frequents the market to sell wild animals, which he buys from others or captures while hunting. “Most of these animals are purchased by zoo owners. The price of a lynx ranges from SR1,500 to SR2,500 while the price of a couple of wild hares reaches SR150.

 

Itteen explained how to hunt hyenas. “You have to follow the hyena into its burrow in the ground and then grab it by its ears and pull it out. To catch a lynx, one must set a trap for it. Any mistake by the hunter can cost him his life,” he said.

 

Abdulrahman Mu’eedi sells birds, including curlews, doves, falcons, eagles, Ethiopian chicken, partridges and geese, among others. Their prices vary depending on the kind of bird and the season. Mu’eedi said his customers include people from neighboring countries who are keen to purchase falcons, hares and hyraxes.