Fifteen baboons and two striped hyenas, all endangered species, have been confiscated in Abu Dhabi for being sold illegally and without proper documentation.
The animals were seized after the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi was tipped off about a group of animals being kept in a small cage inside a house behind Khalidiya Park.
A team from EAD and the Ministry of Environment and Water investigated and the owner is now facing court action, news agency WAM reported.
All the confiscated animals are listed as endangered species and it is prohibited to sell them or display them in public, without the necessary registration, according to laws published in 2002.
Abu Dhabi Police seized the animals which were transferred to Abu Dhabi Wildlife Centre where they will undergo medical checks.
EAD spokesman said: “UAE is intensifying its fight against the illegal trade in endangered species and is implementing strict legal procedures to control this trade and penalise violators.”
