Okaz / Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) stressed that breeding and owning predatory animals in general is in violation of the Environment Regulation and the Bylaw for Trade in Wildlife Creatures.

The NCW reiterated this statement following the catastrophic death of a young man, who was mauled by the claws and fangs of a lion he was breeding in a rest-house in Al-Sali District in eastern Riyadh.

In a press release it issued on Friday, the NCW expressed sorrow and regret over the tragic incident, and said: “Breeding predatory animals within homes and areas coming under the jurisdiction of urban zones is a highly risky matter, from the security aspect.”

It asserted that importing predatory animals for personal or commercial purposes is forbidden, according to a royal decree, and never has the NCW issued licenses for importing predatory animals for these purposes.

The center called on all who own predatory creatures to contact the center and hand over the predatory creatures they are breeding or keeping, so as to deal with their status in the best possible manner.

This is with the objective of avoiding coming under legal accountability, following the elapse of the period for rectification of the status, in line with the Environment Regulation.

The center urges all the citizens and expatriates on the necessity to report any cases of predatory creatures being bred within the urban zone, whenever they receive any information.