Three people are facing charges of public endangerment after a lioness escaped and prowled a neighborhood in Dubai. The incident raised the issue of illegal keeping of wildlife pets in the United Arab Emirates.
Dubai authorities charged three people relating to the escape of a pet lioness from a home and roaming a neighborhood for hours. ABC News reported that the owner of the lioness and two people who sold the animal were indicted. The lioness was spotted prowling the streets of Al Barsha when it was safely caught and transported to Dubai zoo.
It was reported that one of the suspects said he had no idea where the lioness came from but was only given to him to be sold. In the UAE, keeping endangered wildlife as pets is considered illegal. However, there are some from the ruling family and those with authorized license who are exempted from the law. Wildlife pets are considered as symbols of prestige in the UAE.
The young lioness roamed the Al Barsha neighborhood for around three hours until it was caught by animal welfare workers from the Dubai Municipality. The National reported that authorities had a hard time catching the big cat because it was frightened. They were able to capture the animal without sedation using a catch-pole.
The 6-month old lioness was then taken to Dubai Zoo where it tried to attack the animal officers because of shock after it escaped. Dr. Reza Khan, a wildlife specialist in Dubai Zoo, said that the lioness was traumatized when it got loose and got captured again later.
Khan added that the animal will not be released to the wild but will be added to the lions in Dubai Zoo. The zoo is known for housing smuggled and abandoned wildlife, reported 7DAYS UAE. There are around 1,200 animals in the zoo, 97% of which are confiscated pets.
It was reported that owners are not well-resourced to take care of exotic animals as pets. Khan said he was delighted that the Dubai police took necessary steps to discipline the people responsible for the escape of the big cat.
