Egyptian Environmentalists call for probe into poaching wild rabbit, deer in Red Sea

CAIRO – 28 November 2020: A number of environmental activists and organizations in the tourist city of the Red Sea called upon the authorities to investigate the illegal practices of poaching wild rabbits [Hares] and Egyptian deer, which are threatened with extinction, in the Red Sea Reserve, Al-Masry Al-Youm reported on Saturday.

 

The activists published several posts on social media platforms and a number of photos showing the illegal hunting and eating of these animals in cooperation with some residents who organize such poaching trips.

 

“All methods of hunting, killing or catching the birds and wild animals referred to in Annex (4) of these Executive Regulations are prohibited. It is also forbidden to possess, transport, circulate with, sell or offer to sell such birds and animals, either dead or alive, or to destroy the nests or eggs of the birds. The provisions of this Article shall apply to all Nature Reserves as well as to areas where animals and birds are threatened with extinction, as designated in a decree to be issued by the Minister of Agricultural or the governors in coordination with the EEAA,” stipulates Article 23 of the Egyptian Environment Law No.4 of 1994.

 

Egypt has a total of 110 animal species, including 70 species threatened with extinction due to climate change impacts and poaching, said Ayman Hamada, director of Biodiversity Department at the General Directorate of Nature Conservation, in an interview with Egypt Today.

 

Additional Reporting by Samar Samir