The Environment and Protected Areas Authority represented by the Environment Inspection Department in cooperation with Sharjah Police General Directorate recently announced that it has confiscated five animals, which was on sale on social media portals, after they secured a search warrant from the Public Prosecution to inspect a suspect’s house in the vicinity of Sharjah.

This case of over one year, was devised in coordination with the West Police Station and the Investigation Department. It was carried out in accordance with the legal, professional, practical and procedural rules and pursuant to the Administrative Decree No. (15) of 2014, issued by the Ruler of Sharjah, on the prohibition of the possession of dangerous and predatory animals in the Emirate of Sharjah, Sharjah Executive Council Resolution No. (30) of 2014 on the controls of the possession of dangerous and predatory animals in the Emirate, and Federal Law No. (22) of 2016, issued by His Highness the President of the State, on the regulation of the possession of dangerous animals.

Hana Saif Al Suwaidi EPAA Chairman, stated, “In coordination and cooperation with Sharjah Police General Directorate, we managed to confiscate five animals, 3 of them predators (a white lion, two tigers and two baboon monkeys). EPAA was investigating the offenders, until they finally arrested them. EPAA is continuously working to control all violators, to deter such acts that not only violate the laws, but seriously harms the environment and our society.”

Explaining that the confiscation of dangerous and predatory animals takes place only after making sure they have concrete evidence, since they receive complaints that are malicious, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi states EPAA can then take up to two or three months to intervene, to ascertain the subject of the complaint.