Dubai: An Egyptian circus-trainer who ill-treated two young lion cubs is facing prosecution under the Animal Welfare Law.
However, the six-month cubs could be sent back to Egypt under the same Law which lacks an article that allows the state to permanently confiscate them.
Following an undercover operation this March, Gulf News broke the story about how the two malnourished male lion cubs, suffering from dehydration, had been offered for sale on the black market for Dh35,000 each.
Officials from the Ministry of Environment and Water's Animal Welfare Department stepped in and seized the animals.
Their growth is stunted and their hind legs in particular are bowed, which curtailed their movements when they were rescued as they could not carry their own weight.
Initially brought to the UAE on the premise of a circus destined for Global Village, which never saw the light of day, the cubs must now await the fate of their owner, an Egyptian lion-trainer believed to be Mamdouh or Mohammad Al Helw.
Abdullah Al Janan, executive director of agriculture and livestock affairs at the ministry, said the necessary documents and medical reports pertaining to the case had been presented to the Public Prosecution.
Violations
He said it was clear that the treatment of the lions was in violation of several articles that include neglect by owner, causing damage to the species and providing inadequate keepers [Article 2].
Additional violations include restricting animal movement by not providing sufficient space [Article 4], providing inadequate or filthy shelter [Article 5], as well as planning to exhibit the animals without proper permission [Article 11] of the Animal Welfare Law, known as Resolution 16 of 2007. Al Janan said the cubs could only remain in the UAE depending on the Public Prosecution's ruling.
However, no article in the Law provides for permanent confiscation and the owner might retrieve his cubs if he can pay for all the medical costs so far incurred by the ministry, Al Janan said.
The cubs initially received veterinary care at a private clinic in Dubai and have been housed, albeit temporarily, at the Al Ain Wildlife Park and Resort since June 8 as quarantined "guests".
The cubs have physical deformities in their legs but overall their health is excellent, said Dr Arshad Toosy, an associate veterinarian at the park.
"They have leg deformities, one of them still has a limp, they have short limbs from a calcium deficiency, lack of exercise and not getting a balanced diet," Toosy said.
The upkeep of the cubs is expensive as their main diet is meat, a costly commodity.
In Al Ain they are fed 3kg of beef daily, with a cocktail of multi-vitamins thrown in.
Their eyes and coats look bright but despite their playfulness, their gait remains strained.
"It'll be a permanent feature. They should not go back to the circus. They would not be able to jump anyway," Toosy added.
The smuggling of wild or endangered species continues to be widespread in the UAE with authorities seizing 15 cheetah cubs in Dubai just a few days back.
Five of the cheetah cubs also have been given a temporary home at the Al Ain Wildlife Park.
