Official government documents from Syria show a million dollar Noah’s Ark of more than 700 animals was signed off for transit over the last 18 months.
Official government documents from Syria show a million dollar Noah’s Ark of more than 700 animals was signed off for transit over the last 18 months.
Official government documents from Syria show a million dollar Noah’s Ark of more than 700 animals was signed off for transit over the last 18 months.
Official government documents from Syria show a million dollar Noah’s Ark of more than 700 animals was signed off for transit over the last 18 months.

Syrian breeders supplying UAE illegal exotic pet trade


Nick Webster
  • English
  • Arabic

The UAE government is calling on Ukraine and Syria to help it investigate the smuggling of exotic animals into the Gulf from the two countries.

International authorities have uncovered the movement of about 700 animals, worth $1 million, in the past 18 months from Ukraine to breeding centres in the region.

From there they are flown to other countries including the UAE, which is a major transit point for the illicit trade.

Airports and the authorities in the UAE are trained to recognise signs of trafficking but such is the scale of the illegal trade – and the profits to be made – that smugglers still risk using the country for transit.

“We know more than 700 animals have been relocated from Syria to the UAE and Bahrain in the past year,” said Dr Amir Khalil, a vet at the Austrian animal rescue organisation Four Paws.

“They were taken from abandoned zoos and a breeding station outside of Damascus, at Samer Al Husainawi. There have been monkeys, lions and other big cats and we know sub-contractors are getting them into these countries illegally.

“We know a big shipment of animals has been moved from Ukraine through Jordan to Syria.”

There is no record of these animals entering the UAE, and they are yet to appear on a tracking database run by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or Cites.

Hiba Al Shehhi, acting director of biodiversity at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said investigations were under way and the ministry had contacted the Syrian and Ukrainian authorities.

“A total of five cheetahs accompanied by the due Cites certificates were exported from the UAE to Ukraine in 2015 and 2016,” Ms Al Shehhi said.

“As for the other species listed in the letter, they were not recorded in the UAE-Ukraine trade database. However, the UAE is a transit centre which means they could have transited through.

“The UAE is strongly committed to tightening controls on the movement and trade of endangered species through its airports, roads and seaports. In addition to setting a solid legislative foundation, the UAE has taken concrete steps to curb the illicit trafficking of wildlife species.”

A promotional shot posted online by a shop that sell illegally traded exotic animals.
A promotional shot posted online by a shop that sell illegally traded exotic animals.

Many species among the 700 animals, including big cats and monkeys, are believed to have become part of the illegal trade in exotic pets, where collectors buy through social media.

Border inspection documents in Ukraine from August last year show the movement of 500 monkeys, 12 cheetahs, 10 hyenas, 10 leopards, eight jaguars, 20 serval cats, 10 caracals and 70 African fennec foxes.

“It depends on the country where the animals are going to but usually an official of some kind would have to sign off any transit documents before they are moved,” said Timothy Husband, technical director of Dubai Safari.

“The route into Syria from Ukraine is unusual, so it could be a stepping stone into the UAE or Saudi Arabia.”

No official data exist for any movement of live cheetahs in or out of Ukraine since 2016.

Documents show a “private entrepreneur” in Odessa, Ukraine, was granted a permit to move two 10-month old lion cubs into the Samer Al Husainawi Zoo in Damascus – one farm at the centre of the illegal trade route.

The Cites document granting transport expired on November 9 but lacks information as to where the animals came from.

Wildlife experts say there are no official lion-breeding programmes in Ukraine, so questions remain as to how they were allowed to legally leave the country.

Animals Lebanon is a welfare organisation that cared for many big cats, including three tigers, trafficked through Lebanon on their way to a Syrian zoo.

“In 2009 I visited the Samer Al Husainawi Zoo in Syria, and last year locals confirmed to me the zoo was no longer functioning or open to the public,” said Jason Mier, executive director of Animals Lebanon.

“The Cites permits for the two lions lack any details of the importer and exporter such as phone number, licence number or email address.”

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Read more:

Dubai at heart of countering global animal trafficking, report finds

Cheetahs sell for tens of thousands on 'gold mine' social media accounts across Middle East

Cheetah cub smugglers jailed for three years in raid on Gulf gateway

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The covert movement of more than 700 animals from Syria raises concerns over the thriving online illegal pet trade.

“Just weeks ago there was an intended transfer from some of them from Jordan to the UAE,” Dr Khalil said. “It is a challenge to move this amount of animals but they are hugely valued.”

Just half of those animals listed for transport were likely to survive the journey to the Gulf because of the poor conditions in which they were kept.

Dr Daniel Stiles, an independent illegal wildlife trade consultant who has investigated poaching for the UN, was unsurprised by the Syrian links.

“Syria specialises in issuing Cites re-export permits, which require an export permit from the country of origin – which doesn’t exist because the animals are smuggled into Syria,” Dr Stiles said. “Final-destination countries will usually accept the fraudulent re-export permit and allow the illegal animals in.”

Other regional monitors have confirmed Syria has breeding centres in Aleppo and Damascus to provide exotic pets for private collectors.

Dr Sulaiman Tameer from the Kurdistan Organisation for Animal Rights Protection, lives less than an hour from Syria in the Duhok province of Iraqi Kurdistan.

“We have similar problems with exotic animals illegally coming into Iraq and Kurdistan from Syria,” Dr Tameer said. “Our information is that there are at least two of these farms selling exotic animals.

“We know that Mano, the small baby chimpanzee we recovered and sent to Kenya, came from Syria and we are now looking at cases of two lion cubs and a baby chimp from the same route.”

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

Children who witnessed blood bath want to help others

Aged just 11, Khulood Al Najjar’s daughter, Nora, bravely attempted to fight off Philip Spence. Her finger was injured when she put her hand in between the claw hammer and her mother’s head.

As a vital witness, she was forced to relive the ordeal by police who needed to identify the attacker and ensure he was found guilty.

Now aged 16, Nora has decided she wants to dedicate her career to helping other victims of crime.

“It was very horrible for her. She saw her mum, dying, just next to her eyes. But now she just wants to go forward,” said Khulood, speaking about how her eldest daughter was dealing with the trauma of the incident five years ago. “She is saying, 'mama, I want to be a lawyer, I want to help people achieve justice'.”

Khulood’s youngest daughter, Fatima, was seven at the time of the attack and attempted to help paramedics responding to the incident.

“Now she wants to be a maxillofacial doctor,” Khulood said. “She said to me ‘it is because a maxillofacial doctor returned your face, mama’. Now she wants to help people see themselves in the mirror again.”

Khulood’s son, Saeed, was nine in 2014 and slept through the attack. While he did not witness the trauma, this made it more difficult for him to understand what had happened. He has ambitions to become an engineer.

RACE CARD

6.30pm: Handicap (Turf) US$175,000 1,000m
7.05pm: Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions (Dirt) $100,000 1,900m
7.40pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,800m
8.15pm: Handicap (D) $135,000 2,000m
8.50pm: Al Fahidi Fort Group 2 (T) $250,000 1,400m
9.25pm: Handicap (T) $135,000 2,410m.

MWTC

Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.

Winners

Best Men's Player of the Year: Kylian Mbappe (PSG)

Maradona Award for Best Goal Scorer of the Year: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)

TikTok Fans’ Player of the Year: Robert Lewandowski

Top Goal Scorer of All Time: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)

Best Women's Player of the Year: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)

Best Men's Club of the Year: Chelsea

Best Women's Club of the Year: Barcelona

Best Defender of the Year: Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus/Italy)

Best Goalkeeper of the Year: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Italy)

Best Coach of the Year: Roberto Mancini (Italy)

Best National Team of the Year: Italy 

Best Agent of the Year: Federico Pastorello

Best Sporting Director of the Year: Txiki Begiristain (Manchester City)

Player Career Award: Ronaldinho

The specs

Engine: Direct injection 4-cylinder 1.4-litre
Power: 150hp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: From Dh139,000
On sale: Now

Mumbai Indians 213/6 (20 ov)

Royal Challengers Bangalore 167/8 (20 ov)

Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
While you're here

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Profile of Whizkey

Date founded: 04 November 2017

Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani

Based: Dubai, UAE

Number of employees: 10

Sector: AI, software

Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million  

Funding stage: Series A

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.

As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.

Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.

Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.

Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."

MATCH INFO

What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)

Biog

Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara

He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada

Father of two sons, grandfather of six

Plays golf once a week

Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family

Walks for an hour every morning

Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India

2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business

 

UAE SQUAD

Mohammed Naveed (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zawar Farid, Ghulam Shabber, Ahmed Raza, Sultan Ahmed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Chirag Suri , Zahoor Khan

UAE players with central contracts

Rohan Mustafa, Ashfaq Ahmed, Chirag Suri, Rameez Shahzad, Shaiman Anwar, Adnan Mufti, Mohammed Usman, Ghulam Shabbir, Ahmed Raza, Qadeer Ahmed, Amir Hayat, Mohammed Naveed and Imran Haider.

War and the virus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)

Lecce v SPAL (6pm)

Bologna v Genoa (9pm)

Atlanta v Roma (11.45pm)

Sunday

Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)

Juventus v Brescia (6pm)

Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)

Sassuolo v Parma (6pm)

Cagliari v Napoli (9pm)

Lazio v Inter Milan (11.45pm)

Monday

AC Milan v Torino (11.45pm)

 

Racecard

5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m

6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m

6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m

7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m

8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m

9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m

House-hunting

Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove

  1. Edinburgh, Scotland 
  2. Westminster, London 
  3. Camden, London 
  4. Glasgow, Scotland 
  5. Islington, London 
  6. Kensington and Chelsea, London 
  7. Highlands, Scotland 
  8. Argyll and Bute, Scotland 
  9. Fife, Scotland 
  10. Tower Hamlets, London 

 

Brief scoreline:

Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first

England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66

South Africa (207): De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12

'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'

Director:Michael Lehmann

Stars:Kristen Bell

Rating: 1/5