Daijiworld Media Network - Sharjah (SR)

Sharjah, Sep 5: Environments and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA) and Sharjah Police raided a house and found a white lion cub, two tiger cubs and two monkeys which were kept illegally to be sold online. The EPAA officials following a tip-off, monitored the accused for a long time. The team rescued the animals and detained the suspects.

As reported in Khaleej Times, chairperson of EPAA, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi said, "With cooperation from Sharjah police, we managed to confiscate the five animals - three of them predators. We have been keeping tabs on the offender, until we finally arrested him. EPAA is continuously working to rein in violators and check such acts that not only violate the laws, but seriously harm the environment."

Suwaidi said confiscation of dangerous and predatory animals are done only after making sure there is concrete evidence, since they receive many complaints that are malicious. "EPAA can take upto two or three months to act on a complaint before ascertaining it is genuine. The process of confiscating dangerous and predatory animals begins after securing search warrant from the public prosecution," he added.

Al Suwaidi said, as per law anyone who harbours predators that could harm people will be finef Dh 100,000 and whoever voluntarily hands over any dangerous animals that he has raised, will subsequently avoid the fine. EPAA in the past had seized four lions, one lioness, three pythons and two crocodiles.