Title: Saudi Arabia: Ban on Hunting the Globally Endangered Turtle Dove

The National Center for Wildlife Development in Saudi Arabia has disclosed that the European Turtle Dove, known as "Qumari," is among the birds prohibited from being hunted in all breeding and migration areas, as it is globally endangered due to a critical decline in its numbers caused by poaching, especially in the breeding regions of Europe. The center confirmed that the hunting season in Saudi Arabia and the acceptance of licensing requests on the "Fatri" platform began last Friday and will continue until January 31, 2024. The announcement of the hunting season aims to regulate hunting and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources while preserving biodiversity and ecological balance, in accordance with the regulations derived from the environmental system. It clarified that sustainable hunting practices only include the species permitted for hunting, as announced on the website and the "Fatri" platform. It urged those wishing to hunt and holders of hunting rifles licensed by the relevant authorities, or registered falconers with the Saudi Falcons Club, to obtain hunting permits through the "Fatri" platform.