Poaching, unsustainable farming biggest threats to Oman’s wildlife


By Mohammad Taha
April 20, 2016

Muscat -

Wildlife in Oman is faced with challenges despite concerted conservation efforts. In 2015, more than 50 attacks on endangered or protected animals, especially Arabian gazelles and the Nubian ibex were reported.
The incident earlier this month wherein poachers killed two Arabian gazelles in Al Wusta’s Mahout wilayat and injured another, has further highlighted the risk. The poachers were arrested with help from environment rangers.
The biggest threats to Oman’s wildlife are poaching and unsustainable farming, said Dr Mansoor al Jahdhami, managing director of environmental affairs, Office for Conservation of the Environment, Diwan of Royal Court.

“Hunting of wildlife will lead to extinction of certain species. The Arabian leopard is a critically endangered animal. The Arabian oryx nearly became extinct in the wild in the early 1970s. It would have been extinct, if not for the conservation efforts, captive breeding and their reintroduction into the wild,” said Dr Jahdhami.
“We do not want this to happen to other species. The role of conservation bodies such as ours, is to prevent them from extinction. Some plants, such as thyme, are also threatened due to unsustainable farming practices.” He said that the network on nature reserves under the Office for Conservation of the Environment and wildlife rangers, work to protect endangered flora and fauna. “Conservation programmes include regular monitoring, anti-poaching and research activities. Any incident of violation of the wildlife conservation law are forwarded to concerned authorities like the ROP and the Public Prosecution,” he said.
Dr Jahdhami said Oman has a very small number of the reclusive Arabian leopards. “Under a project in Dhofar, 30 employees scan the area for their sighting through camera traps and work to protect them.”
He added that over 50 cases of poaching were reported by the Office for Conservation of the Environment, and that the commonly hunted animal is the Arabian gazelle. “Twenty per cent of the world’s wildlife species may become extinct in the 30 years. Looking at this alarming rate, it is very important not to underestimate the risk of extinction our fauna and flora face. “We need to work together to ensure that Omani wildlife is conserved and protected for our future generations.”


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