UAE | General

Readers' reactions on illegal animal trade

Here's what Gulf News readers have to say about the illegal animal trade

  • Gulf News Report
  • Published: 00:00 December 9, 2009
  • Gulf News

Mina Zayed Animal Souq
  • Image Credit: Gulf News Archive
  • A number of endangered wild animals have been confiscated over the years and many of them are illegally on sale in pet shops in the country.
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These illegal traders spoil the society as well as take away the freedom of wild animals. I mean a crocodile in a fish tank? Or a lion cub in a flat? They need freedom and we need peace of mind.
Shiz
Dubai

So what happens after this? Action should have been taken against these traders, as the relevant authorities could have caught them red-handed. The ease with which such endangered animals are being sold is alarming.
Enchie
Dubai

The news is quite surprising. If these animals are coming into the country and being sold easily, there is need for immediate action. It is necessary to have animal rescue teams here too, considering the situation.
Samantha Samuel
Dubai

I'm completely disgusted whenever I go to the animal market. A lot of animals are bought and discarded, but a crocodile on the loose is endangering everybody's life. I don't understand why people need to keep exotic animals!
Ursula Manvatkar
Dubai

Reading Gulf News' article on Harry made my blood boil. This needs to stop and these people should be prosecuted. These animals should be in the wild, not in someone's garden.
Yasmine
Abu Dhabi

Hats off to Gulf News — this is great investigative reporting. Let's hope that for the sake
of those helpless animals, if not the humans at risk, the right people take the right action.
From A Reader
India
Name withheld by request

The love of animals is central to the Islamic way of life. Can we please start teaching all children in the UAE about their obligations to all of God's creatures that share this world with us?
John
Dubai

It is shocking as to how easy it seems to be. A crackdown is needed immediately. I don't
fancy walking out of my door and being confronted by a discarded and hungry crocodile.
Denny
Dubai

Hopefully, this illegal trade will be stopped quickly. Bringing foreign species of animals into the country could have very negative effects on the local wildlife.
From A Reader
Montreal, Canada
Name withheld by request

This is absolutely disgraceful! These practices are disrupting ecosystems throughout the world and for what? Entertainment? Companionship? These animals are not meant to be pets, they are wild animals and belong in the wild.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request

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