The hunting season for rabbits, which started last week, will continue for the next 40 days.
An official from the Saudi Wildlife Authority (SWA) told Arab News that under Saudi conservation law, only one mammal species can be legally hunted each season and licenses to hunt non-endangered bird species are usually issued during the hunting season.
“Currently, only licenses to hunt rabbits are being issued,” he said. “Hunters are not allowed to use firearms to hunt rabbits; they can only use traps, hunting dogs or falcons.”Hunters are not allowed to hunt in the 16 protected areas and in the Empty Quarter or in places close to urban settlements. Hunters have been warned against targeting endangered mammal or bird species, such as oryx, gazelle, ibex, the Arabian leopard and the ostrich.
The wildlife authority regularly meets with members of the public in and around the protected areas to teach locals about the importance of wildlife conservation.
Rabbits are mostly found in valleys and open deserts. Hunters have been requested to obtain their permits from their respective governorates.
The Ministry of Interior, in cooperation with the National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development, regulates the hunting season in the Kingdom. The year is divided into eight hunting seasons, six of them devoted to birds and two for dhub and rabbits.
