HARGEISA (Halbeeg News) – Authorities in Somalia’s northwestern region, Somaliland have stepped up operations to protect the few remaining cheetahs in the country.
Thousands of wildlife in Somalia fled the country in the last three decades following the outbreak of the civil war after the collapse of the central government.
In a statement, Somaliland Ministry of Environment and Rural Development said in cooperation with security forces in its Selel region, it succeeded to rescue at least eight of Cubs of cheetah.
During the operations, the officials managed to foil attempts by traffickers to transport the cubs.
Speaking to the media, Shukri H. Ismail, Minister of Environment and Rural Development said the cubs were rescued eight cheetah cubs during three consecutive missions in the Selel and Awdal regions since mid-last month.
“We are pleased to relay the details of three rescue missions successfully carried out over the past ten days”, said Shukri, “By intercepting traffickers transiting through Somaliland and recovering the cubs, we send a clear message to people who think to try this illegal activity.”
With the help from Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), the ministry secured safe cages for the cubs.
According to the ministry, seven of the cubs are estimated to be between 2.5 to 10-weeks-old, and the eighth cub is at least six-months-old.
Discussion about this post