For years, the caribou has been targeted in several ways by hunters in various areas of Hadramout and Shabwa governorates south of Yemen. This uncontrolled hunting of ibex comes as result of lack of awareness of its historical importance and place, and the possibility of its extinction in Yemen in general, and this is done in view of the silence of the authorities concerned with protecting the country's environmental and animal diversity.
In the past, caribou hunting was associated with unbreakable rituals and traditions, a habit that has been frequent - according to specialists - since before the emergence of the heavenly religions. According to Salem Bawazeer, a resident of Hadramout Al-Wadi governorate, the process of caribou hunting is a seasonal ritual for the people of the region, noting, in his interview with "Khuyut", that the hunting season during winter that is usually starts at the beginning of November and ends in February every year.
Bawazeer adds that these rituals were taking place at this time; Because it is the right time for the caribou to go out in order to get food and search for other warm places, and they were hunted by huntsmen in order to obtain their meat. As for hunting activities, Bawazeer says that they were carried out according to conditions and laws recognized by the people, as it is forbidden to hunt young caribou or females, in order to preserve the offspring of caribou in these areas. According to Bawazeer’s statement, the hunting activity changed years ago and turned into a pastime or hobby practiced by many huntsmen who do not abide by the times or the specific hunting season, nor do they abide by any laws. As a result, the life of caribou threatened in of extinction in those areas. In addition to this, the purpose of hunting turned into a pleasure practiced by hunters with the aim of demonstrating their sniping skills with a rifle.
Citizens in Shabwa and Hadramout had appealed to the official authorities to urgently intervene and stop the direct and unfair killing of caribou, especially after testimonies were circulated by residents in the two governorates, that even military personnel were involved in those hunting operations.
The Public Authority for Environmental Protection in Hadramout and Shabwa governorates calls on the concerned authorities to take strict measures against those involved in indiscriminate and irresponsible fishing activities. The Public Authority for Environmental Protection in Shabwa Governorate also called on the concerned authorities to expedite the investigation of people who were proven to be involved in uncontrolled fishing operations, and the authority expressed its concern about the spread of this phenomenon.
In its statements published on its page on the social networking site Facebook, which was reviewed by Khuyut, the authority also stressed the need to protect the animal environment in the governorate, especially endangered animals. It stressed on applying the most severe penalties against those who encroach on these animals, noting that uncontrolled hunting has included many animals are threatened with extinction.
The symbolism of the caribou in the Yemeni civilization
The caribou is an animal of the wild goat family and of the bovid clan, but it is somewhat similar to the deer, and is characterized by its back arched horns that form a semicircle, in addition to the chin. There are five types of this animal, the most famous of which is the so-called "Nubian caribou" - relative to the country of "Nubia", which is one of the areas where this animal lives, along with Yemen and some areas of the Arabian Peninsula.
Yemeni law does not include an explicit text criminalizing uncontrolled caribou hunting or even limiting it. However, Article 35 of the Yemeni constitution states that “protecting the environment is the responsibility of the state and society, and it is a religious and national duty of every citizen.”
The caribou takes from the mountains and high altitudes places to live in order to protect itself from any likely attacks that may occur by humans or predatory beasts, so it was also known as the "mountain goat". It is one of the endangered animals in many countries, including Yemen; This is due to the continuation of the absurd hunting operations, in addition to being a rare animal in origin.
The caribou had a sacred symbolism among the ancient Yemenis, and even today many ancient monuments preserve drawings and sculptures of this animal. It was also considered a national symbol of the ancient Yemeni kingdoms, and it was carved on coins, royal inscriptions and temples.
The ancient Yemenis considered the caribou a symbol of the god "Athtar", and a symbol of the Shebaan moon god "Elmaqah", due to its curved horns that take a shape similar to a crescent. As for the female ibex in the ancient Yemeni civilization, it was called “Arwa” and pluralized by “Arawi”, and from here many Yemenis took this name for their daughters based on their beliefs and their relationship to this animal.
Moreover, some olden legends indicate that the ancient Yemenis designed the traditional dagger "Jamabiya" in a curved shape to show off the antlers' horns and as a symbol of its strength. These horns are still used by the people of Hadramout and Shabwa to show off and adornment as a symbol of roughness and strength.
Shortcomings in Legislation
Engineer Elias Ashoor Bakir, director of the Doe Conservation Department at the Public Authority for Environmental Protection - Hadramout Valley and Desert Branch, says that "the authority has made a great effort to preserve the caribou, deer and other endangered animals." He added that a circular was issued to all managers of districts banning any gatherings of individuals practicing animal hunting, while the security authorities published a circular in February 2019 regarding the ban on hunting in caribou locations.
In his interview with Khuyut, Bakir indicated that a memorandum was submitted to the Board of the Public Authority for Environmental Protection in order to declare the northern plateau region in Wadi Hadramout as a natural reserve, in order to preserve the caribou, deer and the rare animals contained in the area. He also stressed the need to execute the environmental protection law and educate the community in order to stop this uncontrolled hunting, in order to preserve endangered animals.
Yemeni law does not include an explicit text criminalizing uncontrolled caribou hunting or even limiting it. However, Article 35 of the Yemeni constitution states that “protecting the environment is the responsibility of the state and society, and it is a religious and national duty for every citizen.” In addition, a decision was issued by the Council of Ministers in 2002, regarding the approval of the regulation for the protection of endangered species of wild animals and plants and the regulation of their trade, and apparently the decision has not been implemented since that time.
It is worth mentioning that Al-Hayat newspaper had revealed the infiltration of foreign huntsmen from outside the Yemeni borders and the involvement of army units in caribou hunting operations in Yemen.
