Raising wild animals as pets is illegal since there is no provision in the law for issuing licenses to import or raise such predators. Moreover, it is unsafe, said Dr. Hani Tatwani, Vice President, Saudi Wildlife Authority, in response to a viral clip showing a loose lion on King Khaled Road, one of the busiest highways in Riyadh. Dr. Tatwani said since its inception, the Authority has not issued any licenses in compliance with a royal decree issued in 2008 banning the import of all types of predators to Saudi Arabia, whether for personal or commercial use. Those raising native or nonnative wild species are doing in violation of the rules and regulations in Saudi Arabia. Dr.Tatwani called on citizens and expatriates to report any private home or rest house that keeps wild pets as these animals are a threat to human life. Sometimes, baby wild animals are raised as a hobby, but they soon become a threat when they grow up. Stories of wild pets attacking and killing their owners are commonly reported in the media these days. https://youtu.be/gJzvLkYkP88
