Riyadh: Saudi security authorities arrested a man after he was spotted walking with a lion on a main road in the western city of Jeddah, online newspaper Sabq reported Monday.
His arrest came after local security agencies were alerted that the man was seen with the wild animal outside a cafeteria, according to the report.
Police patrols headed to the site where the man — a Saudi national — was found keeping the lion inside his car.
The man handed the animal over to the city’s municipal authorities, the paper said without further details.
He is currently being questioned by the police.
The Saudi Wildlife Authority has repeatedly warned against rearing or trading in wild animals, saying the acts violate the kingdom’s regulations.
The agency has also called on the public to report anyone illegally possessing such animals.
