JEDDAH: Saudi authorities have set a May 31 deadline for people to legalize ownership of wildlife, as part of efforts to curb illegal trade and strengthen environmental protection across the Kingdom.
The National Center for Wildlife has introduced a grace period to allow individuals to regularize the status of animals in their possession through a formal licensing process. After the deadline, violations will incur fines of SR10,000.
Illegal wildlife trade remains a global challenge, classified by international organizations as a serious transnational crime. As it operates outside legal frameworks, its full scale is difficult to measure. Commonly trafficked items include parrots, ivory, reptiles and certain predator species.
Since the Kingdom began implementing the Environment Law and established specialized security bodies within the environmental sector, authorities have observed a decline in the illegal killing, hunting and trafficking of wildlife and related products.
Bandar Al-Faleh, director of regulations and licensing at the NCW, told Arab News: “The licensing initiative is intended to regulate the possession of wildlife and document ownership.
“It noted that the direct use of wild animals and their products, including import, export and private ownership, represents one of the greatest threats to wildlife in their natural habitats.”
Regulating such activities at both local and international levels contributed to the protection and sustainability of wildlife, the center added.
The move aligns with the Kingdom’s Environment Law and its executive regulations — as well as international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora — which aim to protect biodiversity and regulate wildlife trade.
Licensing process
Applications must be submitted through the Fitri platform via the certificate of ownership service. Applicants are required to enter the organism’s identifying details, including scientific name, number and species, specify the identification method and attach the required documents.
Supporting documents include a veterinary health certificate confirming the organism’s condition, age and sex, and proof of appropriate housing that meets animal welfare and environmental standards.
Al-Faleh emphasized that the initiative is not intended to penalize owners, but to bring existing holdings under a legal framework. Inspections of privately held wildlife are generally not conducted unless required under legal procedures, although violations may be pursued if reports are filed or non-compliant animals are discovered during transport or display.
Enforcement and challenges
Globally, illegal wildlife trade is complicated by the wide range of species involved and the methods used to smuggle them. More recently, online platforms and social media have emerged as key channels for illicit activity.
To address this, the NCW has established a specialized unit to combat online wildlife crimes and conducted training workshops to strengthen enforcement capabilities.
Al-Faleh said licensing helps document ownership and ensures that wildlife or related products have been obtained from legal sources, in line with relevant regulations and international agreements.
Al-Faleh said: “It also enables owners to transport licensed wildlife domestically and internationally without facing violations or penalties.”
The center expects the initiative to reduce demand for illegally sourced wildlife, and curb trafficking activity. Licenses will not be issued for non-compliant organisms, and stricter enforcement will follow the end of grace period.
The NCW also works closely with security and customs authorities to enhance monitoring at land, sea and air entry points, as well as in local markets. Joint training programs support inspection and enforcement efforts.
Alongside regulatory measures, the center continues to run public awareness campaigns to highlight the environmental impact of illegal wildlife trade and encourage community participation in conservation.
As the May 31 deadline approaches, officials are urging individuals to take advantage of the grace period. The initiative marks a broader push to formalize wildlife ownership, reduce illegal activity, and support long-term biodiversity protection in the Kingdom.
