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Crocodile Skins Found in Deira Leather Shop

DUBAI — The skins of two Nile crocodiles were carefully laid out on the backroom floor of a Deira leather seller, ready to be turned into belts and purses, when inspectors came knocking.

The skins were found during a routine inspection by officials from the Dubai Municipality’s Veterinary Services Section.

The cost of the crocodile products, as well as four python skins that were also found, amounted to Dh19,400, said section head Hashim Al Awadhi.

“These skins came from endangered animals and can only enter the country with proper documents,” he told &Khaleej Times.

The UAE is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) which requires certification to import products such as crocodile skin.

“We found them at a leather shop in Deira, where they were going to be turned into belts and purses.

“We believe that these skins were smuggled into the country, and we are working with Dubai Customs to coordinate inspections,” said Al Awadhi.

The raids came as the Veterinary Services Section began an awareness campaign among those who work in pet shops and leather sellers over restrictions in trade in endangered animals.

In addition, Al Awadhi said that consumers should be wary of buying goods made from endangered animals.

Sultan Alwan, executive director for agriculture and animal affairs at the Ministry of Environment and Water, said common endangered animal products, including the shells of endangered marine turtles, are mostly sold as jewellery, combs and sunglasses frames.

“Likewise, are the shahtoosh shawls which are made of the wool of the rare Tibetan antelope,” Alwan said.

“The ivory antiques, skins of leopards, tigers and hippos, along with the traditional medicines made of wild animals are banned as well.”

Alwan said the ministry has issued around 2,085 permits allowing the trade of endangered animals and &plants and products this year, including caviar, falcons and other exotic birds and animals.

“The permits, covered by the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species, included applications for setting up breeding centres for raising animals in captivity and issuing falcon passports,” he said.

Alwan said the convention required a certificate to be based on expert’s &advice and different regulations were set for various products, including a limit on the quantity of caviar that can be imported.

“Trading in many other species and products, including fur, claws, tusks, teeth, butterflies, sea horse, bird eggs, and stuffed animals is totally prohibited while some species may be traded in,” he said.

The UAE signed the convention &in 1990 and Alwan warned penalties could be implemented if traders violated the regulations.

“To locally implement CITES, the UAE has enacted Federal Law No 11/2002 for regulating and controlling the international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora,” he said. “Violations under this law are punishable by a fine and/or a prison term.”

martin@khaleejtimes.ae

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.ae