BAHA – The number of incidents where citizens are found hunting and killing creatures threatened with extinction for tampering and exploitation reasons have increased recently.
The head of Saudi Wildlife Authority Prince Bandar Bin Saud Al-Saud confirmed that the trafficking system of endangered species allows for monitoring shops and establishments and ensure that no violation of regulations takes place, according to a report in Al-Watan.
Prince Bandar said that the Saudi Wildlife Authority issues licenses for any type of animal or plant of endangered species whether living in a natural environment or under families in accordance to the Convention on International Trade of endangered species of animals and plants. These licenses are issued for importing, exporting, re-exporting, transportation, or for commercial or personal purposes.
"The system gives the relevant authorities inspection rights to monitor violations and inspect all shops and establishments on trafficking of organisms and fungal products. This is done to ensure that no violation of regulations happens regarding national and international legislation," said Prince Bandar.
Prince Bandar said that "the authority seeks to maintain wildlife on land and at sea in their natural habitat and to restore growth and prosperity of deteriorating natural areas. Current priorities for the authority is to establish a national system of protected areas as part of a comprehensive treatment of the environmental reality in the Kingdom and to maintain and sustain wildlife and to develop and implement plans and projects aimed at preserving the wildlife in protected areas."
Prince Bandar pointed out that currently there are 15 conservations in the Kingdom.
In regards to laws and regulations concerning the maintenance of wildlife and biodiversity, Prince Bandar stated that the authority is proposing the development and implementation of new systems, such as a system of protected areas for wildlife, and a system of traffickers of endangered species. We are keen to create awareness around issues of wildlife conservation and biodiversity using mainstream and social media outlets".
Endangered species
Animals: Arabian Oryx; Reem Deer; Houbara; Ostriches and Hares.
Plants: Juniper trees; Crimean; Alguendl and Ficus.
