A specialist training programme in Somaliland has been launched to disrupt cheetah poaching and trafficking of animals to the Gulf.
The East African country has been a key area of interest for anti-trafficking authorities in recent years, with cats smuggled out of Somaliland and into the Middle East, where they are sold on the black market.
Experts from the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) said 300 cubs were poached from the Horn of Africa every year between 2010 and 2020.
Fewer than 7,500 cheetahs are believed to remain in the wild, with the animal listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.
We are learning from confiscation events where wild cheetah populations may exist, and we are meeting the people who live with them
Dr Laurie Marker,
Cheetah Conservation Fund
A five-day training course in Hargeisa is under way for representatives of the Somaliland government involved in law enforcement and the prosecution of wildlife crimes.
Training was supported by the CCF, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Legal Atlas, a legal intelligence firm that provides expertise in enforcement and prosecution.
“The work we are undertaking to improve our laws and establish a national unit to conduct counter-trafficking activities is a major step forward in our decade-long fight against illegal wildlife trade here in Somaliland,” said Shukri Ismail, of the country’s Ministry of Environment and Rural Development.
“Since October 2020, we have not intercepted any illegal cub shipments in Somaliland. We hope this lull becomes permanent.”
The project aims to build capacity with law enforcement agencies, strengthen legal frameworks and create regional networks between legal jurisdictions in Ethiopia, Somaliland, Somalia and Yemen.
The four nations have been identified by CCF as both source and transit countries at the centre of the illegal cheetah cub trade.
With the ultimate aim of reducing poaching and illegal trade in cheetah cubs, the training course aims to expand knowledge of Somaliland environmental and wildlife conservation laws, and teach how to properly handle confiscated cubs and how to carry out efficient criminal investigations involving wildlife.
Cheetah cubs in the Horn of Africa are often taken from the landscape by rural farmers in retaliation for livestock predation blamed on cheetah mothers.
Sometimes cubs are sold as compensation for lost goats and sheep, but many are stolen by professional traffickers to supply illegal pet markets on the Arabian Peninsula.
Conservationists estimate three out of four cubs poached in the region die within two years due to malnutrition, dehydration and disease.
“Consistent application of wildlife laws is one of our goals,” said Legal Atlas's director James Wingard.
“We have compiled legal frameworks for each of the four jurisdictions, as doing so makes it easier to spot gaps in legislation.
“Then we can assist the respective governments in strengthening their laws by revising them or by creating new ones.”
Traffickers arrested after undercover sting
On September 6 the CCF received four young cubs at its safe house facilities in Hargeisa.
The baby cubs, estimated to be between 2.5 and 3.5 weeks old, were removed by villagers near Las Anod after they accused the mother cheetah of preying on the community’s goats.
Village elders contacted authorities and arranged for the cubs to be voluntarily surrendered.
Before the incident, the centre had seen a 10-month period without any confiscations or interceptions of cheetah cubs.
The downturn in activity followed a wave of rescue missions between July and October 2020, capped by two interceptions in Hargeisa that netted eight traffickers and 13 cubs.
It led to the arrest and conviction of two men in possession of 10 cheetah cubs following a separate trafficking bust on September 23, 2020.
Six others were later arrested in an undercover sting when they attempted to sell on three cheetah cubs.
Research published in academic journal Science Direct revealed more than 1,800 instances of trafficking with at least 4,184 cheetahs moved from Africa to the Gulf since 2009.
Many are sold online via social media or under the counter in pet shops.
In April, Hiba Al Shehhi, acting director of biodiversity at the UAE's Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said authorities were monitoring sites to strengthen the enforcement of illegal wildlife trade legislation.
In December, the CCF will be in Dubai to celebrate International Cheetah Day at Expo 2020 with a Global Cheetah Summit planned for the first week of February at Dubai Safari Park.
Dr Laurie Marker, executive director of the CCF, said seizures in East Africa are helping broaden understanding of the risks cheetah now face in local communities.
“Even after we stop the illegal trade, our work in Somaliland and the Horn of Africa is just beginning,” she said.
“We are learning from confiscation events where wild cheetah populations may exist, and we are meeting the people who live with them.
“In these areas, the confluence of drought, famine, extreme poverty, lack of opportunity, lack of education, lack of awareness of the law, and conflict with farmers creates a complex web of issues that must be addressed to save the species.”
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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More from Armen Sarkissian
Tips on buying property during a pandemic
Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.
While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.
While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar.
Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.
Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.
Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities.
Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong.
Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
FIXTURES
All games 6pm UAE on Sunday:
Arsenal v Watford
Burnley v Brighton
Chelsea v Wolves
Crystal Palace v Tottenham
Everton v Bournemouth
Leicester v Man United
Man City v Norwich
Newcastle v Liverpool
Southampton v Sheffield United
West Ham v Aston Villa
