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We Love Oman: Unique biodiversity at Al Saleel National Park

Oman Tuesday 08/June/2021 21:34 PM
By: Times News Service
We Love Oman: Unique biodiversity at Al Saleel National Park

Al Saleel National Park in the Wilayat of Al Kamil Wal Wafi, South Al Sharqiyah Governorate and a few kilometres from Sur is one of the most fascinating natural sanctuaries in the Sultanate  with frequent seasonal rain. The sanctuary’s area is a plain land at Wadi Bani Khalid.

The sanctuary, which has a unique biodiversity, represents a habitat of over 100 flora and fauna species, mainly  Acacia Ehrenbergiana,  Acacia Tortilis, Ziziphus spina-christi and Maerua Crassifolia Forssk. The area also hosts various mammals such as the Arabian gazelle, Arabian tahar, red fox and Arabian hare among others.

Eight species of reptiles have been recorded along with 166 insects. The sanctuary is also a habitat for wild birds including migrating birds and other birds that have settled in the area. Old archeological graves have been discovered on plain land at the eastern part of the sanctuary, which dated back to the third century BC.  A majority of the Bedouin community are engaged in herding the animals settled in the sanctuary and the surrounding areas.