Oman

Salalah court imposes strict penalties on wildlife offenders

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The Court of Appeal in Salalah has issued a judicial ruling against four individuals found guilty of wildlife trespassing. Each defendant has been sentenced to one year in prison and fined RO 1,000. Additionally, the court ordered the confiscation of their vehicles, weapons, phones and binoculars.

The Environment Authority confirmed that the four citizens were convicted for illegally hunting and killing several Arabian gazelles, Nubian ibex and various wild birds. The ruling underscores the seriousness of the offense, with the court imposing a significant punishment on the offenders.



Talib al Abri, Acting Director-General of Environment in Dhofar Governorate, emphasised the importance of preserving natural environments and warned that legal action will be taken against those who violate wildlife protection laws. He highlighted that the Penal Code mandates severe penalties for anyone who intentionally kills, hunts, or smuggles wild animals, birds, or their genetic materials. Offenders can face imprisonment from six months to five years and fines ranging from RO 1,000 to RO 5,000.

The Sultanate of Oman strictly regulates the ownership and use of hunting tools and devices, permitting their use only for regulatory, scientific and research purposes authorised by the Environment Authority.



The Authority is dedicated to implementing and enforcing laws related to nature conservation and wildlife protection. It employs modern technologies to enhance surveillance and monitoring efforts in nature reserves, aiming to curb illegal hunting activities and ensure the preservation of wildlife.