Oryxes at Al Shahaniya Animal Research Center run by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment.
DOHA: Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) has released details of rare species of animals and wildlife which are prohibited for trading, whether dead or alive or in form of medicines and souvenirs made from them.
The step is aimed at protecting wildlife and is in line with international convention signed by Qatar. Qatar is part of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and is at forefront to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
The Ministry of Municipality and Environment had seized 47 Hubara birds of an endangered species for illegal entry into the country for violating CITES regulation in December last year. The Ministry is working on a major project to increase the numbers of some endangered species of birds and animals in its natural reserves and farms, in order to protect it as part of the State’s effort to maintain the ecological balance.
Details about the CITES regulation which is implemented in Qatar was shared by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment on its social networking sites at a time when large number of people, including citizens and expatriates, from Qatar travel to abroad to spend their summer vacation.
The Ministry has warned the vacationers of buying gifts made of wildlife and rare species of animals which are banned by CITES regulation during their trips abroad otherwise they will be caught at the customs checkpoints of the Hamad International Airport (HIA) and face legal actions as per the regulation.
“The travellers should consult to the CITES Office at the Ministry of Municipality and Environment to obtain prior permission if they intend to buy any souvenir made of wildlife from abroad in a bid to protect endangered species of animals and trees,” the Ministry said in the posts on its social networking sites.
The travellers were also given phone numbers 44261596 and 44261699 to call the Department of Protection and Wildlife at the Ministry to ensure that their gifts are safe to bring to Qatar. Trade in all types of wildlife specimens is subject to regulation by the Ministry of Municipality and Environment and require prior export or import permits. Trading of all types of luxury items made of sea turtles shells, such as combs and sun goggles, garments and accessories made of tiger, cheetah and leopard is subjected to CITES regulation. Buying and selling of ivory (elephant tusks) and items made from ivory is subjected to the regulation and must be accompanied by the necessary CITES documents.
Other items which come under the regulations are Chinese medicines which contain components of endangered species of animals as well as luxury items made of sea turtle; shoes, belts, watches and straps made of skins of leopards, cheetahs, reptiles and coats made of skins of endangered wildlife species.
The trade of more than 30,000 species of wild animals and plants is regulated by the CITES including elephants, tigers, cheetah, rhinos, whales, turtles, reptiles, corals and plants. The regulation also includes live and dead specimens and their parts and items made of them, said the Ministry.
