Sharjah: Four lions were among the latest exotic pets to be taken from Sharjah homes since the beginning of the year. The lions were confiscated on Monday.
Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, director-general of Sharjah Environment and Natural Reserves Authority, told Gulf News that the department had confiscated four lions, one lioness, three pythons and two crocodiles, in addition to other wild animals.
The confiscation was in cooperation with Sharjah Police after the department received a number of complaints from residents in Sharjah and the Central Region.
“We received complaints from residents about hearing a lion’s roar. It was scaring the children, especially at night time, and making people wonder how [the lion] could be inside a house,” Al Suwaidi said.
Owners of exotic pets whose animals have been confiscated have been fined Dh100,000, and those who surrender their animals are exempt from the fine according to the decree which was issued by the Sharjah Ruler last year.
His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, issued a decree in November 2015 banning residents from owning dangerous predators. The law excludes licensed public and private zoos, scientific research centres and universities.
A one-month amnesty after the decree was given to pet owners to hand over their animals. Anyone found with a banned animal on their premises faces a Dh100,000 fine.
Al Suwaidi said that over the past few months, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) has received many complaints about wild animals being housed in homes and on farms and now the department is also receiving complaints about wild animals being housed in apartments. Inspections will be carried out on these apartments, she said.
“Wild animals are a big threat to the safety of residents,” said Al Suwaidi. However, she said there have been no complaints so far regarding any injuries caused by them.
For people keen on breeding wild animals, the Sharjah government has offered them a plot away from the city, provided the person obtains the requisite licences from the Environment and Natural Reserves Agency, in addition to other approvals from concerned authorities. Inspectors from the department will visit the site on a regular basis to investigate and spot violations, if any.
The Environment Authority is working on a federal draft law to ban breeding cats and dogs at homes and farms. The decision will be ready during the coming period, Al Suwaidi said. She also pointed out that Sharjah Police bans any vehicle carrying animals from one emirate to another without permission. Individuals found violating the rule will incur a fine of Dh10,000.
Meanwhile, Al Suwaidi said that any complaint from the public regarding stray cats or dogs should be lodged with the municipality.
Quarantine
Confiscated animals are kept in quarantine for 40 days and later the department contacts zoos in the UAE, GCC and Europe asking them if they wish to obtain these animals, she said.
Meanwhile, residents can report any wild animals to 8003722745 or Arabia’s Wildlife Centre at 06-5311999.
Exotic pet owners can call the same numbers for inquiries or to hand over their animals.
