YANBU: The view is like something out of a Wild West movie. As one approaches this crooked tree located by the side of a dusty and busy highway around 75 kilometers outside Yanbu, one cannot help but notice dead furry animals hanging from its branches by their legs.
As one comes closer, it becomes apparent that the furry beasts are local wolves, killed and strung up on Yanbu’s infamous “Lynch Tree” as a warning to their packs that this would be their fate if they attacked livestock.
Hunting wolves is a popular sport among the tribal people living in this part of Saudi Arabia, something that men often boast to their friends and relatives. The hunters’ pride is justified, as it is difficult to kill wolves, which operate in packs very cautiously.
“This is a famous tree, which is locally known as the Lynch Tree,” said Hameed Al-Sulami, who lives in Kamil. “I’ve killed six wolves and hung them on the tree over the past few years ... people who hunt wolves bring them to this tree and hang them here. The bodies stay here until they decompose and fall off or someone with a fresh kill takes one down to hang a new one,” he added.
People traveling long distances stop by the tree to see wolves killed. Shepherds and farmers hate wolves, which attack in packs causing numerous fatalities in a single attack. Wolves are extremely careful and organize their attacks to ensure they get their targets, they say.
Ahmad Al-Juhani, 50, said the dead wolves are hung from the top of the trees to drive other wolves away from farms. “When wolves see a dead beast hanging from a tree or smell its blood, they simply leave the area and do not return for ages,” he said.
“However, I condemn the random killing of wolves. They’re an important element of the country’s wildlife. I’ve killed six wolves in total, but all of them were in self-defense,” Al-Juhani added.
Khaled Al-Harbi, from Yanbu, said there are many lynch trees in the area. “There’s probably one in each valley. They’re not just for wolves, they’re also aimed at other predators in the area,” he said.
“It’s untrue that wolf hunters hang wolves off trees to show off. Most hunters tend to be livestock owners whose animals have been attacked by wolves. They place them on trees in revenge to drive other wolves away,” he added.
Ali Al-Bugaili, a hunter, said hunting wolves is something that he enjoys. “It’s a brilliant sport,” he said. “Most often wolf hunting takes place at night because wolves come out at night, as it’s a perfect time not to be seen by farmers, shepherds and their prey. Shepherds, on the other hand, are ready with loaded weapons waiting for the unexpected,” he said.
“Wolves are smart creatures and they can sense human beings easily. They smell us from a distance. Hunting wolves after overcoming these obstacles is very difficult. I can’t describe the joy I feel when I kill one,” he added.
