Two bears found dead in Oman

Muscat: In two unusual incidents, two unidentified bears have been found dead in Wilayat of Shinas in North Al Batinah. This is the first time this has occured in the region. Authorities have dealt with the carcasses.

Farmers in the Al Khadrawiyn region of the wilayat were surprised to find the body of a small bear and they informed the Royal Oman Police (ROP) who in turn contacted the Shinas Municipality to deal with the body.

Mr. Mohammad Al Amri, Acting Director of Shinas Municipality, spoke to Times of Oman and described the sequence of events, "On Thursday morning we received a call from Shinas Police Station stating that farmers had reported a dead bear and were concerned as it was a unique incident. The municipality transported the body from the farm in presence of the police and buried it.”

"Also, on Saturday morning, the Royal Oman Police found another bear dead on the shores of the Wilayat of Shinas this morning and they contacted us and we repeated the procedure.” It was circulated on social media that the bears belong to a resident of the Al Khadrawaiyn region, but Al Amri said, "I do not think so, because if that was true, we would know this and farmers would have informed the owner. Secondly, the police has found another dead bear on the Wilayat’s beach, which also proves that the bears from an unknown source.”

An official from the Royal Oman Police confirmed to Times of Oman that research and investigation of the source is ongoing. Another source said that the ROP did not deal with animals as was being circulated on social media and that the ROP only acts as an intermediary.