MAKKAH — The recent incident of a lion cub that went missing and subsequently recovered in Makkah has concerned wildlife authorities. The Saudi Wildlife Commission (SWC) said 37 lions and leopards were smuggled into the country over the last two years. The Kingdom has signed the international agreement that bans the trafficking of endangered animals. The research director of SWC in Taif Dr. Ahmad Al-Bouq said the commission would take custody of the cub if residents complained. He added that the SWC in Taif is currently looking after six lions that were smuggled from Yemen. He said the owner of the lion cub committed a crime by clipping the animal's nails and teeth.
