Sale of endangered animals' skins angers Global Village visitors

Visitors to the Global Village expressed anger and disappointment last night after witnessing the illegal sale of endangered animal skins, teeth and claws at the Sudanese Pavilion. The products include crocodile, leopard and snake skins, along with ivory, and big cat teeth.

They have been sold and displayed unhindered for the entire Shopping Festival. Traders claim to have experienced "no problems" in selling the goods – which are in full view of the public - despite the fact that the UAE is a signatory of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species, which strictly prohibits such practices.

The skins range in price from Dh700 to Dh4,000, while a large ivory pot sells for just Dh150. Cheetah and lion teeth key rings are even cheaper. One trader enthusiastically described how she bribed Sudanese officials into allowing her to bring her leopard skins - complete with heads - to Dubai.

"We are not allowed by law to bring these products out of Sudan because the animals are endangered and considered part of our heritage. But I just offer money to the officials and they give me clearance. They even provided me with the export certificates.

"The animals were killed by poachers," she explained, pointing to a small hole in the middle of a leopard skin, "and this is where the bullet went in. All these animals were shot for their skins."

Another trader offered to supply goods on a wholesale basis. His stock included ivory products - the sale of which was banned in the UAE in 1989. He also offered cheetah parts, even though they are highly endangered, with a wild population estimated at less than 12,500. "I can get all sorts of things - just tell me what you'd like, and how many pieces," he said.

Ben Hall, who is visiting Dubai from the UK with his wife and son, said he felt "saddened" by the trade. "I worked in Africa for a few years and the wildlife there is spectacular. It's just awful to see some of their greatest creatures on sale in this way. "I came here specially for the Shopping Festival, and I think the Global Village is fantastic, but this is a definite blight on my memory. I'd love to come back here next year, but I really hope these traders won't be allowed again."

Marianne Baptiste, a French expatriate living in Dubai, said: "Obviously this is not a good thing. Most of us prefer to see animals alive rather than dead. I do think their presence must have been overlooked by officials though, because the UAE is extremely environmentally aware."

Anthony Pervaiza, who was visiting the Global Village with his wife, two daughters and friends, was angered by the trade. He said: "This doesn't look good to visitors at all and I'm sure it's a mistake that the products are still on sale. It makes me angry to think this is going on because the Global Village is a unique and special event which is both popular and educational. These traders should be punished for their deeds and banned from coming here next year because they are putting a stain on Dubai's good reputation."