Snakes and cheetah cubs among hundreds of exotic animals rescued from homes in Sharjah

The law sets out penalties from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000 for owning dangerous animals, which is doubled for a repeat offence

Cheetah and tiger cubs are highly sought after by collectors despite global and local efforts to tackle the trade. Sammy Dallal / The National
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Cheetah cubs, snakes and ostriches are among the hundreds of wild animals rescued from private homes by Sharjah officials.

Up to 379 animals have been freed from homes in 2019.

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

Sharjah’s Environment and Protected Areas Authority (Epaa) said the animals were rescued by officials during routine inspections.

Inspectors also confiscated 1,052 electronic devices that mimic the sounds of birds to hunt them.

The Authority strictly enforces the 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, which is doubled for a repeat offence.

The law also applies on the illegal international trade of endangered species of wild plants.

The officials also stopped 37 projects that caused soil erosion and recorded 102 offences for depleting the resources that support wildlife in the emirate.

“Inspectors visit projects sites to determine whether companies are complying with conditions and instructions, to detect negative practices that contribute to the degradation of environment and to ensure that perennial trees are not affected,” said Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Epaa chairwoman.

The teams carry out routine inspections and follow-ups to ensure the decision on preserving wildlife issued by the emirate’s executive council is strictly followed.

“The decision was issued to preserve wild life, prohibit hunting of migratory birds, ban the use of bird callers and prevent the ownership of dangerous and predatory animals,” said Ms Al Suwaidi.

Barbecues waste topped the list of environmental offences recorded last year followed by waste released from factories and unauthorised cutting of trees.

Ms Al Suwaidi said those caught dumping hazardous waste are fined between Dh1000 and Dh50,000.

“The authority’s inspection campaigns and the fines resulting from them help ensure that everyone enjoys a safe, clean and comfortable environment protected from destruction and harm,” she said.

“Fines are issued as deterrents not for financial reasons, they help remind people of the importance of complying with regulations and that wild areas belong to all and should be respected.”