Muscat – H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Ali bin Abdullah Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, has issued Administrative Decision No. 150/2024, introducing new regulations governing the possession of domesticated wild animals.

The decision mandates that all owners of domesticated wild animals, including Arabian gazelles, sand gazelles, Nubian ibex, Arabian tahr, and Arabian oryx, must obtain a license within the next 180 days.
To qualify for a license, applicants must be Omani citizens with suitable facilities for breeding the animals and a commitment to adhering to the regulations. The licensing process includes a 30-day review period and the right to appeal rejections.

License holders are responsible for transportation costs, obtaining approval for disposal of animals, micro-chipping, and preventing crossbreeding with other animals. Regular inspections of breeding facilities will be conducted.

Penalties for violating the regulations range from warnings and fines to license suspension or cancellation.

The Environment Authority will impose a fine of not less than RO 100 and not more than RO 500 for possession of domesticated wild animals without a license. The Authority has also specified different fines, ranging from RO 50 to RO 1000 for a variety of violations, including disposal of domesticated wild animals without obtaining approval, failure to notify the Authority in the event of the domesticated wild animal’s death, etc.