A videograb shows a lion is strolling in the streets of Riyadh.

Gulf Today Report

A lion was spotted wandering on the streets of Riyadh on Thursday, prompting authorities to lockdown the area and send special forces to deal with the situation.

The Special Forces for the Environment Security (SFES) was called to handle the crises.

SFES official Raed Al-Maliki said that the authorities received a report about a lion being spotted in Riyadh streets. 

The SFES personnel formed a team and rushed to the location.

According to the information, the lion was found tied to a pole in a residential neighbourhood.

The authorities tranquilised the animal and transferred it to its shelter without any injuries.

The Saudi Wildlife Authority has launched an investigation into the incident.

The police are searching for person responsible this act.

The public prosecutor will punitive action against the person.

The law doesn’t allow caging wild animals, and especially not in the middle of residential areas.

The authorities said anyone who is found in possession of a wild animal will be out in prison for 10 years with a fine of up to 30 million Saudi riyal.

The authorities have urged residents to report any cases of importation, export, transfer, or sale of such animals to the police.

This is not the first time, a lion has been spotted in Saudi streets.

In December 2020, the security authorities were shocked in Makkah after a lioness was found inside an abandoned house.

The authorities said residents complained of a lion’s roar over the past two days.