Dubai: Forty two baboons from Saudi Arabia that were to be smuggled into the UAE were found by customs officials at the Al Ghuwaifat border in the Western Region.
The Hamadryas baboons have been confiscated by the Ministry of Environment and Water and placed in Al Aweer quarantine in Dubai.
The import of all monkeys is currently banned to protect the biosecurity of the country and to protect the public from the spread of diseases or epidemics such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, herpes and Ebola to Aids, the only exceptions being for regulated scientific or breeding centres.
Domesticated monkeys can carry intestinal diseases and cause injuries or overpower their owners.
Sultan Ahmad Alwan, Executive Director for Agricultural and Animal Affairs at the ministry said in a statement that the baboons called Papio hamadryas were not being transported with appropriate documents such as health certificates and trade permits, which is contrary to UAE animal welfare law.
The baboons, which are endemic to the Asir Mountains between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, are under examination for diseases especially common among humans and animals.
International agreement
According to an animal welfare source, this is the first time such a large number of baboons have been caught.
"We find a lot of baboons for sale. Often we catch one or two, but never so many," he said.
The baboons are believed to have been hidden inside a six-wheeler truck coming across the border. Customs officials investigated the truck after hearing "abnormal" noises coming from inside.
Alwan highlighted that the UAE ratified the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in species of wild animals and plants does not threatened their survival, in 1990.
The UAE issued Federal Law No (11) for 2002 to regulate and control the international trafficking of animals and plants threatened with extinction.
Alwan said that animals traded in the UAE include wild animals like deer and wild cats, reptiles, caviar and coral reefs as well as birds and falcons. He added that application of the law falls under the jurisdiction of the ministry and the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi.
Penalties
Gulf News reported earlier how the ministry is currently investigating another case of animal trafficking involving two lion cubs, which were found in deplorable conditions in an industrial area in Al Dhaid, and later offered for sale on the black market.
Alwan said the penalties for illegal trafficking are imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months and a fine of Dh10,000 to Dh50,000.
