Among the verses of poetry often recited by Arabs is the proverb:
“He who shows kindness to those undeserving of it, shall meet the fate of the protector of Umm ‘Amir.”
But what is the story behind Umm ‘Amir?
It is said that a group of Arabs went hunting one day, and while in pursuit, they came across a female hyena—referred to in their tradition as Umm ‘Amir. The heat was severe that day, and the hyena was exhausted and fatigued. In her distress, she sought refuge in the home of a Bedouin man who felt sympathy for her. He stepped outside with his sword drawn and confronted the hunters, asking why they were chasing her. They replied that they were merely out for sport and hunting. However, the Bedouin refused to hand her over, saying, “She is now under my protection, and as long as this sword is in my hand, you will not reach her.”
The hunters left, and the Bedouin looked at the hungry hyena with increasing compassion. He milked his goat and gave her milk until she was full and regained her strength. He felt joy for the kindness he had shown and went to sleep content, pleased with his good deed.
But as he fell asleep, the predator’s instinct awoke within the hyena. She crept toward him while he was unaware, pounced on him, tore open his abdomen, drank his blood, and left him dead before fleeing.
The next morning, the Bedouin’s cousin came looking for him, only to find him lifeless. Upon realizing what had happened, he tracked Umm ‘Amir, found her, and killed her with a fatal arrow in revenge for his cousin—who had not realized that kindness to a wild beast does not change its nature.
Then he recited:
He who shows kindness to those undeserving of it
Shall meet the fate of the protector of Umm ‘Amir.
He gave her food and the milk of nursing goats
When she sought refuge near him.
He fed her well until she was strong and full
Then she tore him apart with her fangs and claws.
So tell the kind-hearted: this is the fate
Of one who offers good to the ungrateful.
In a Facebook post, a young man snaps a selfie at home with a fierce lion sitting behind him like a giant cat, staring into the camera lens with defeated eyes. One could almost hear it say, “What brought me to this plush living room after losing the title of king of the jungle? And if I were returned to the wild, could I give up the sliced meat laid before me effortlessly? Where are the adventures where I chased prey, where my hunger was not just survival, but proof that I deserved life?”
It seems the story of Umm ‘Amir hasn’t yet reached this young man or the fame-obsessed crowd of the internet age. In recent years, the phenomenon of owning predatory animals in some Gulf societies has shifted from a rare oddity to an almost familiar trend in certain circles. Social media platforms are filled with images of lions, tigers, and leopards lounging beside their owners or accompanying them in cars as if they were tame dogs or cuddly cats.
Waleed Al-Din Hassan, in his article titled Raising Predatory Animals… When the Streets Turn into a Jungle, pointed out that “the Ministry of Interior, through its significant efforts, revealed months ago that some individuals have recently started raising predatory animals in their homes, taking them into public spaces and driving with them in cars.” He emphasized that such hobbies pose serious risks that extend beyond the responsibility of the owner to include residents of the neighborhood and visitors to public or recreational areas.
One of the key reasons behind this phenomenon is excessive wealth, which drives some individuals to seek ostentatious displays, along with the spread of social media, which fuels the desire for attention, and a lack of public awareness regarding the environmental and security risks associated with owning such animals.
In another article titled Imprisonment and Fines for Possessing Predatory Animals, Mohamed Hafez notes: “Most of these animals come from East Asian and African countries. Smugglers often import them at a very young age—typically under three months old—so they can be concealed during land border crossings, and are usually fully sedated to ease the smuggling process.”
In 2014, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) issued the Animal Welfare Law and its executive regulations. Article 8 of the law states:
“It is prohibited to organize exhibitions or public or private markets, or to hold competitions or animal shows for commercial or any other purposes, without obtaining a license from the competent authorities, in accordance with the conditions and regulations outlined in this law.”
In addition, the State of Qatar enacted Law No. (10) of 2019 to regulate the possession of dangerous animals and creatures. This law prohibits the possession, import, export, or trade of any dangerous animal or creature without an official license. It imposes strict conditions for licensing, such as providing a safe environment that meets safety standards, and assigning a qualified veterinarian to oversee the animal’s health. Violators may face fines up to QAR 100,000 or imprisonment of up to three years, or both. If the incident results in death or permanent disability, the penalty could reach 25 years in prison.
In an interview with Al Sharq newspaper, lawyer Dr. Khalid Al-Muhannadi explained that “despite the existence of a law regulating the ownership of predatory animals, society was recently shocked by a serious incident in which a citizen was attacked by a wild animal driven by its predatory instinct. If not for divine intervention, the individual could have lost his life. This incident proves the inherent danger of owning predatory animals—whether legally or illegally.”
The state’s role is not limited to legislation, but extends to field monitoring. In another interview with Al Sharq newspaper, Dr. Dhafi Haidan, Head of the Animal Department at the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, stated:
“The Ministry has urged owners and keepers of these dangerous animals and creatures to register them via the Ministry’s website, by email at Dp@mecc.gov.qa, or by calling 16066 to request registration. Our specialists will follow up to guide the registration process, and the deadline for registration extends to three months from the date of the announcement.”
The ownership of predatory animals raises not only security concerns, but also profound environmental and ethical issues. These include the psychological and behavioral stress that wild animals suffer due to their need for complex, wide-ranging environments to fulfill their natural instincts. Keeping them in cages or confined farms causes suffering that may manifest in aggressive or disturbed behaviors.
Many of these animals arrive in Qatar through illegal smuggling networks, posing a threat to the extinction of their species in their native habitats. This practice violates international agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which states in Article 3 that “the import of any specimen listed in Appendix I requires prior import permission in addition to an export permit or a re-export certificate. Import permits are only granted when strict conditions are met.”
Al-Dossari Wildlife Park and Reserve in Al Shahaniya, Qatar—privately owned by the Al-Dossari family—is considered one of the most well-known safari-style zoos in the country. It houses wild sheep, wolves, leopards, and Arabian oryx.
Additionally, Qatar’s Zoo, established in 1984 and operating under government supervision, serves as an ideal location for showcasing wild animals and is currently undergoing renovation and rehabilitation efforts.
According to Al Raya newspaper, “the Doha Zoo and Al Khor Park Zoo welcomed 265 newborn animals of various species” in 2023. The report added that “some of the species in both zoos are part of specialized breeding programs focused on comprehensive nutrition and climate control to simulate their natural environments.”
To address the growing phenomenon of individuals acquiring wild animals, stricter laws are necessary—not just regulating licenses, but moving toward an almost complete ban on owning predatory animals for personal use. This must be accompanied by tighter customs enforcement to combat smuggling, and by targeted awareness campaigns, particularly aimed at youth and teenagers, through social media platforms that often promote such practices. Equally important is the provision of safe alternatives, such as the creation of controlled reserves and enclosed zoos where owners can transfer their animals without compromising public safety.
At a time when environmental and health risks are escalating globally, society must adopt a mindset that balances luxury with wisdom, and personal distinction with respect for nature.
These magnificent creatures, born to roam free in the wild and forests, have no place—even in cages made of gold.
