Community awareness is a weapon against random shootings
The National Center for Wildlife highlighted the positive change in public awareness in the Kingdom regarding environmental issues, which is the result of the center’s efforts to prioritize and educate the community environmentally.
The center emphasized that its regulations and legislations aim to preserve environmental balance, which is a collective requirement. Achieving this balance can only be realized through the collaboration of official institutions with the entire community to restore that equilibrium.
The center was keen to remind people of the negative environmental consequences of indiscriminate releases of wildlife due to the destructive impact on the local environment and the species that will be negatively affected by such releases. These effects include the loss of the original genetic value of local wildlife when non-native species are introduced, leading to ecological disasters. Furthermore, these introduced species can bring infectious diseases that threaten the overall environmental system, turning into a long-term problem with economic and health repercussions. In fact, non-native species are considered the second most significant threat to the environment.
Indiscriminate releases also place direct pressure on the human resources that are already facing significant challenges, as they can’t sustain the local wildlife. This explains the need for legislation to prevent the spread of indiscriminate releases in the local environment. The regulations prohibit the release of wildlife within the Kingdom, imposing a fine of five thousand Saudi Riyals for every locally native wildlife species released and up to a hundred thousand Saudi Riyals if the released species is non-native. Those responsible must also pay compensation for any damages incurred.
The center underscores the importance of individuals in the community adhering to environmental conservation and respecting the regulations related to wildlife, as an increase in public awareness plays a crucial role in preserving the Kingdom’s environmental resources and ultimately helps restore environmental balance.