No, owning a monkey in Saudi Arabia is prohibited under the Wildlife Conservation Law (Royal Decree No. M/44 of 2016) and the National Center for Wildlife’s 2026 enforcement directives. Private possession of non-domesticated animals, including primates, violates public safety and biodiversity protection protocols enforced by the NCW and the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA).
Key Regulations for Owning a Monkey in Saudi Arabia
- Wildlife Prohibition: The NCW’s 2026 compliance framework explicitly bans private ownership of wild animals, classifying monkeys as protected species under CITES Appendix II.
- Permit Exclusions: Exemptions require proof of scientific or conservation purposes, with permits issued solely by the NCW—pet ownership does not qualify.
- Penalties: Violations incur fines up to SAR 500,000 ($133,000) and confiscation under the Environmental Penal Code (Royal Decree No. M/34 of 2020).
Domestic alternatives like cats or dogs are regulated by municipal bylaws, but primates remain strictly off-limits. The SFDA’s 2024 public health guidelines further reinforce the ban due to zoonotic disease risks. Non-compliance risks legal action and animal seizure.