Mention the Sultanate of Oman and most people will immediately think of heat and sand. They may also think of historic forts, desert dunes and the silver-sheathed khanjar, which is the Omani national symbol. The country is also an accepted tourist destination for Oman luxury holidays with the traditional and cheerful Omani hospitality making it an increasingly popular place to spend a holiday.

For many, wildlife conservation in Oman will simply not enter their heads, yet there is a growing need in the country to conserve nature and take precautions to ensure that rapid urbanisation does not damage some of the country's natural treasures. There are thirteen sites already in Oman that have been designated with natural reserve status and three more are waiting for an official administrative decision to be announced.

Conservation High on Oman's Priority

The ministry of environment and climate affairs (MECA) in Oman is currently working on management plans for three new conservation sites at Barr al Hikman, Jebel Qahwan and the turtle beaches in Masirah Island. Potential developments include the setting up of visitor centres, display areas, and boards describing the importance of the sites, and administrative buildings.

Management plans are not only focussed on the protection of natural environments. Although the goat-like animal known as the tahr occupy the Himalayas and the population is flourishing, the Arabian tahr of Oman are considered endangered. A tahr population currently exists in Jebel Qahwan and a three-year study is presently underway to estimate numbers and plan conservation strategies.

New Conservation Sites

Masirah Island is the only island in Oman to host nesting grounds for four species of turtle - the green, the loggerhead, the olive ridley, and the hawksbill. Thousands of loggerhead turtles nest at Masirah making it one of the world's most important nesting populations and a management plan will focus on habitat protection to ensure the survival of the rare marine animals.

Barr Al Hikman is part of the world’s most undisturbed tropical intertidal ecosystems and sees around a million migratory shore birds visiting its wetlands every year. After recent research concluded that human activities within wetlands had a negative influence on bird numbers, conservationists are keen to ensure that the biodiversity within Barr Al Hikman does not suffer.

New Species of Gecko Found in Dhofar

While habitat protection features strongly in Oman, species identification is also an important part of the many duties performed within MECA. Several years of research, involving analysing the house geckos from the genus hemidactylus has resulted in the identification of eight new species.

A gecko found in the vegetated areas of Dhofar has been given the scientific name of hemidactylus alkiyumii as a gesture of good will towards the MECA advisor Ali al Kiyumi.

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