The Ministry of Interior specified in a statement issued today the dates and locations of hunting for the year 1432H. It said that the Ministry announcement is directed towards all citizens and residents in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and that it emanated from the keenness of the Government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Ibn Abdulaziz, on the preservation of the wildlife in the Kingdom. The announcement said the Government banned the following: - Hunting migratory birds of all kinds by any means whatsoever, for fear of transmission of bird flu to humans and poultry. - Hunting deer and ibexes, as well as predators such as Arabian leopards, lynxes, wolves, hyenas, and prey-birds around the year. - Using shotguns, firearms, or any other means which lead to catching more than one animal, also banning hunting uromastyxes by car exhausts or water drowning. -Night-time hunting. - Hunting all species of animals or birds within the boundaries of cities and villages and protected areas defined by National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development. -Hunting in all forms and means in the Empty Quarter, which is bordered to the east and south lines of the Kingdom's borders with neighboring countries. The Ministry of Interior specified the dates for hunting rabbits from 20/12/2010 to 30/1/2011, and uromastyxes from 1/8/2011 to 30/9/2011. The Ministry of the Interior called on all hunters to adhere to regulations and to get licenses for hunting from the Governorates, otherwise they will be subjected to punishment, fines, and seizures of devices used in hunting.
