SAUDI EXPATRIATES

NCW has warned residents and citizens that feeding baboons is illegal and will result in a 500 riyal fine for those who violate the law. The Kingdom is trying to control the growing number of baboons and lessen the damage they do to the environment by imposing this new fine.

- "There are specialized field teams that treat baboon breeding spots in several areas," Omar Al-Sudais said in a phone chat with the Al-Ekhbariya channel, highlighted that about 103 breeding spots have been handled in the Asir region.

The National Center for Wildlife Development reported earlier this month that 86 traps set by 36 field teams were used to treat 103 baboon breeding sites in the Asir region. These sites are home to about 18,000 monkeys. Most Viewed : Muqeem changes how to check visa status for iqama holders

- Through the "Damage Assessment and Sustainable Treatment Program for the Increasing Number of Baboons," the Wildlife Center said it would keep working to lower the number of baboons in the area.

- Environmental imbalance, fewer or no predatory animals, and a lack of natural food in the monkeys habitats due to drought were all factors that led to the problem of an increasing number of baboons. 

- Other factors included the fact that baboons had changed from wild to domesticated behavior, and their reproductive behavior within the herd had changed as well. There were also other food sources available, such as direct feeding from residents and tourists and indirect feeding from other animals. Recommend : New rules issued for Gasoline stations and service centers in Saudi Arabia

- Baboons are becoming more common, which has caused social, health, and environmental problems. For example, they attack people, especially children, spread diseases and viruses, destroy crops, break into homes and businesses, damage public property, and make it harder for tourists to enjoy the area.

- The problem of baboons living in populated areas and increasing in number has been going on for more than 40 years. In response, the Center announced an ambitious treatment program that is being carried out in 3 stages. The first stage was a field study to count the baboons, find out what the problems are, and set a baseline.  The study found that, there are nearly 40,000 domesticated baboons in urban areas.

- The second stage was integrating treatment operations, and the third stage is making sure that the solutions will last. Subscribe to Saudi Expatriates on YouTube

- Last month, The CEO of the National Center for Wildlife Development, Dr. Muhammad Ali Qurban, took the second steps to deal with the growing number of baboons in the Al-Baha region.

- The Wildlife center said on its (X) platform that "Qurban" followed this on a field tour in the region to find out how the second part was being carried out and what work was still being done in this area.

- Thirty field teams from the Wildlife center continued to work on a set of scientifically-based methods to deal with the growing number of baboons in a number of affected areas. Follow Saudi Expatriates on Pinterest