The fastest animal on earth is found limping, badly injured, through the heavily-trafficked streets of Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
There are few sights more beautiful than a majestic cheetah in the wild. And few more upsetting than that same creature injured and limping through the streets of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Yet that is exactly the scene that greeted a few residents this morning.
We have covered way too many wild animal abuse cases this week: a lion cub was shot dead in Egypt, another Egyptian man plans to fight a grown African lion to boost tourism, and now this. But for each reported incident of illegal wildlife trafficking and abuse, there are probably dozens more that are hidden from public view. Read on to learn more.
Private zoos in Egypt and the UAE:
The United Arab Emirates and Egypt are particularly well-known for indulging in private zoo collections of illegally-purchased exotic species.
Last year a man was arrested for bringing endangered falcon eggs into the country, while more recently, an Emirati man was arrested in Thailand for attempting to smuggle sedated leopard cubs that were packed in his suitcase.
Baby grows up:
But what happens when the cuddly little cats become grown wild animals?
Gulf News reports that when Abu Dhabi residents in the Karama area spotted the cheetah they immediately alerted the Khaldiyah Police Station. The police then contacted the municipality to try to trap the cheetah.
Ronel Smutts, Director of Abu Dhabi’s Wild Life Center and an animal activist, told the paper that the cheetah was “badly injured.” She added that the center dispatched a veterinarian experienced in treating wild animals since the municipality’s pest control people are not.
Another activist told the paper that the injured cheetah was caught and held in a cage lacking proper ventilation. The apparent temperature in the Emirate is currently 41 degrees Celsius or 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Only 7,500 cheetahs left in the world:
Listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN list of threatened animal species, there are only 7,500 cheetahs left in the wild. Their diminishing populations are threatened by farmers concerned to protect livestock, habitat loss, and illegal trade.
It is uncertain where the cheetah came from or how it ended up on the streets, but if they ever hope to be treated seriously by the international community, the United Arab Emirates should put an end to the inhumane treatment of animals and illegal wildlife trafficking.
Otherwise, there is every justification for the western world to view some of country’s residents as nothing more than “spoiled, rich Arabs.”
:: Gulf News
Images via wikicommons and brighthub
More on Illegal Wildlife Trafficking in the Middle East:
Egyptian Man Plans to Fight an African Lion to Boost Tourism
Live Baby Leopard Found in Suitcase En Route to Dubai
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERY LIVING BEING AND ENTITY WAS CREATED BY
A NATURAL FORCE, I CHOSE THE PHYSIOLOGICAL TITLE ‘THE DEVINE CREATOR’
SIMPLY BECAUSE NOTHING IN THIS WORLD COULD BE MORE SPIRITUAL DEVINE
THAN THE NECESSARY SUSTENANCE PROVIDED ON THIS PLANET FOR ALL
LIVING BEINGS AND ENTITIES TO LIVE, AND MOTHER NATURE WHO
DESPERATELY TRIES TO CARE FOR, AFTER MOST HUMANS HAVE ALTERED OR
DESTROYED. THE NATURAL FORCE, IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT THIS WAY IS THE
SEED OF LIFE, AND MOTHER NATURE IS THE EARTH, WIND, AND RAIN THAT
NURTURES, AND WITHOUT HER THE SEED WILL DIE. IF THE SEED OF LIFE GAVE
ME INTELLIGENCE, THAT I MUST APPRECIATE AND RESPECT ALL WHAT WAS
GIVEN ON THIS PLANET FOR ME TO SURVIVE.
I too believe that there are too many people on our planet. however, there is no need to resort to a Devine Creator or to religious arguments. The development of life on our planet can explained by the theory of evolution and by science. All other explanations are nonsense.
S.I.
There is an over-population of humans on this planet that truly do
little good for the planet, because of their deviate minds, greed and
selfishness, so I, being a believer of all what The Devine Creator
had put forth on this planet, that have a right to live in peace,
believe that any human who does damage to what The Devine Creator had
put forth on this planet and Mother Nature who nurtures all what is
needed for survival or kills The Devine Creaor’s other living beings –
the beautiful, wonderful animals,should be eradicated, and that the
human race must start lowering their population.