Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — The National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) will build a habitat for wild animals turned in by their owners and breeders, according to the commission's chairman. Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Mohammed said the habitat would be completed in 18 months. Owners and breeders will be granted a grace period to turn the animals in and after the deadline they will be seized, Prince Bandar said. "The commission will launch an awareness campaign targeting the citizens who keep wild animals at their homes. They will be asked to hand the animals to the reserve," he told Al-Eqtisadiah business daily. The chairman threatened to close down all shops selling wild animals without licenses. "The commission will chase breeders and illegal merchants and will forcibly take wild animals to the center," he said. Prince Bandar did not specify where the center would be built but said it would be modeled on national game reserves. He warned animal lovers against keeping them at home and said they would be highly dangerous, especially for children. "Citizens can obtain licenses to keep animals which are permissible under international regulations," he said. Prince Bandar, however, made it clear that no licenses for keeping wild animals at homes will be granted. He said a royal decree bans the acquisition of wild animals by private individuals. "The only exemption is for animals imported for zoos, circus shows or scientific experiments," he said.
