Crocodile on the move: Mysterious video emerges from Saudi highway
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SAUDI ARABIA, Nov 8, (AP): A video posted on social media captured the sight of a sizable crocodile meandering along a Saudi Arabian highway. The reptile, presumed to have escaped from an animal park, can be seen in the footage making its way amidst the traffic on a road located in Al Qatif, Eastern Saudi Arabia, as reported by the Almarsd news website.
Motorists showed caution, avoiding any collision with the crocodile as it traversed to the other side of the road. Eventually, an unidentified individual was observed using a rope to secure the reptile.
It’s important to note that the authenticity of the video remains unverified, and Saudi authorities have refrained from making any official comments. Saudi Arabia’s environmental regulations strictly prohibit the trade, possession, and exhibition of endangered animals. Violations of these regulations are punishable by a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to SR30 million.
In recent months, there have been multiple incidents involving encounters with wild animals in the kingdom. In May, Saudi environmental authorities reported the successful containment of a lion found wandering in the capital city, Riyadh. The Special Forces for Environmental Security (SFES) confirmed that the lion had been brought under control and transferred to a specialized agency.
Earlier the same month, security agencies and wildlife inspectors in Saudi Arabia carried out a raid on an establishment that was unlawfully housing and exhibiting wild animals, including a lion and a tiger. This facility was discovered in the Asir region of southwestern Saudi Arabia.
In March, the Saudi National Centre for Wildlife (NCW) reported the seizure of a cheetah, a wolf, and a large snake from a citizen who had them in their possession. Additionally, Saudi authorities disclosed their intervention to capture a fox found in a residential area in the eastern part of the kingdom. After a health assessment and appropriate care, the fox was released back into its natural habitat to maintain the environmental balance.
These incidents are a stark reminder of the dangers associated with the illegal trade of wild animals, a practice that has seen growth in part due to social media, where these animals are often marketed. The kingdom’s authorities had previously issued warnings against the illegal ownership of predatory animals after a tragic incident in Riyadh in 2021, where a lion fatally attacked its owner.
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