Saturday 11 / July / 2026
Muscat: Oman’s Environment Authority has issued a warning against the practice of pursuing and filming wild animals in their natural habitats in Dhofar Governorate without obtaining the required permits, describing the behavior as a legal violation that poses serious risks to wildlife and the environment.
The Authority said it has recently observed that some social media content creators have been chasing and filming wild animals to produce online content, stressing that such actions are irresponsible and have harmful consequences for wildlife.
According to the Authority, the practice causes stress and fear to wild animals, disrupts their natural behavior, increases the risk of accidents and injuries to both people and wildlife, and negatively affects ecological balance by disturbing animals in their natural habitats.
The Authority urged the public to comply with laws and regulations governing interactions with wildlife, emphasizing that photographing or pursuing wild animals without prior authorization constitutes a violation of the Natural Reserves and Wildlife Conservation Law, issued under Royal Decree No. 6/2003, and its Executive Regulations.
It also affirmed that it will coordinate with the relevant authorities to monitor content that violates environmental regulations and take the necessary legal action against offenders to safeguard wildlife and preserve Oman’s natural environment.
The warning comes as Dhofar experiences its annual khareef season, a period that attracts large numbers of visitors to the governorate's unique natural landscapes and wildlife. The Environment Authority called on all visitors and content creators to act responsibly and respect wildlife protection regulations.
