Wednesday 17 / April / 2024
Muscat: An Omani citizen has been arrested for hunting Arabian Gazelle in Hail Al Ghaf in Rustaq, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs (MECA) announced.
"The Wildlife Protection Units of the Department of Environment and Climate Affairs in South Batinah arrested a citizen for hunting Arabian Gazelle in Rustaq," said MECA.
The arrest came after another Omani citizen intercepted the suspect and handed him over to wildlife rangers. The ministry added that all legal action had been taken against the culprit, who was convicted of violating the wildlife laws and given the largest possible fine. "The harshest fine penalty was carried out against the accused," the ministry explained.
Royal Decree No. 6/2003 of the Law on Nature Reserves and Wildlife Conservation, Article (15), paragraph (b) stipulates that "Whoever intentionally kills, catches or smuggles any of the animals or birds shown (1) or any genetic material thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment for a term of not less than six months and not exceeding five years, and a fine of not less than OMR1,000 and not exceeding OMR5,000, or either of these penalties."
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs has called upon both citizens and residents to follow the laws, regulations and legislations in force, with regards to nature reserves and protected sites.
