More than 100 endangered animals rescued in Sharjah

Anyone caught owning dangerous animals could face a fine of between Dh10,000 and Dh100,000

Rescued birds are being taken care of by The Environment and Protected Areas Authority. Courtesy: EPAA 

More than 100 wild animals and exotic birds were rescued from smugglers in an operation carried out by officials in Sharjah.

Police officers seized 146 animals listed as endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites) of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Cites is a treaty to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct because of illegal trade. The UAE signed the treaty in 1990.

Smugglers tried to bring the animals into the UAE without health certificates or import permits.

"In co-operation with the Sharjah Police General Directorate, the Environment and Protected Areas Authority teams were able to foil the attempted smuggling of 146 animals and birds,” Hana Al Suwaidi, who heads the authority, said.

“We are committed to preserve and protect endangered species and provide them with the best living conditions."

The authority works to preserve natural resources and wildlife in Sharjah.

Ms Al Suwaidi said 379 prohibited, predatory and dangerous animals were seized in Sharjah last year.

There were 142 such animals rescued in the emirate in 2018, with 422 rescued in 2017.

The authority has a 27,000-square-metre shelter at Desert Park to house predators and dangerous animals.

There are strict anti-trafficking laws against the illegal pet trade in the emirate.

The authority strictly enforces a 2016 law that regulates the possession, trade and breeding of dangerous animals.

The law sets out penalties from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000 for owning dangerous animals.

Fines are doubled for a repeat offence.

The punishment for transporting dangerous and predatory animals from one place to another, inside or outside Sharjah, without approval from the authority is a Dh10,000 fine.