Barka Biodiversity Centre helps in preserving endangered species
The centre was established within the framework of the efforts of the Sultanate aimed to achieve sustainable development and protection of environment heritage.
Salim Said Al Maskari, Director of Environment Department in South Al Batinah Governorate said that the centre represents an integrated platform for rescue and protection of biodiversity.
The centre offers healthcare in the field of wildlife with the focus on protection of endangered species, he said, adding that the centre contributes to the support of knowledge and expertise related to management of wildlife.
He said that the total area of the centre is 33, 000 sq. metres and offers an integrated environment accommodating areas designated for protection of animals and plants besides areas for the facilities including a well-equipped veterinary clinic, equipment for treatment of animals and cages for isolation of animals whenever necessary.
Since its establishment, the centre has succeeded in breeding a group of wild animals such as the Arabian gazelle, the oryx, and the sand gazelle, in addition to rehabilitating various types of birds of prey, including the Egyptian vulture, the bald eagle, and falcons.
He pointed out that the centre also includes a nursery for Omani wild plants, as it produces approximately 8,000 seedlings annually of local plants, such as samr, sidr, wild ghaf, shoa, and markh.
This nursery plays an important role in the national initiative to distribute ten million seedlings of Omani wild trees, which is supervised by the Environment Authority, thus contributing to strengthening the vegetation cover and preserving local plants.
It's worth noting that the Barka Biodiversity Centre is a pioneering model of the Sultanate of Oman's efforts to protect the environment and conserve its natural resources.
Through a clear vision and specific objectives, the centre contributes to achieving sustainable development and preserving wildlife for future generations. This reflects the Sultanate of Oman's unwavering commitment to protecting its natural heritage and strengthening its position as a pioneering country in the field of biodiversity conservation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Muscat Daily
6 days ago
- Muscat Daily
Oman's leopard breeding programme records breakthrough
Muscat – The Wild Mammal Breeding Centre under Royal Court Affairs has reported success in breeding Arabian leopards, marking renewed efforts to prevent the extinction of the region's most threatened big cat. A female leopard named Al Muzn, now around two and a half years old, is among the most prominent offspring raised at the centre. She remains in good health under the close care of veterinary specialists. The facility has also recently bred two more cubs, a male and a female, both over three months old, receiving intensive care during their early weeks – a critical period when leopard mothers sometimes reject their young. Located in Muscat, the centre is affiliated to Directorate General of Veterinary Services and houses leopards native to Jabal Samhan in Dhofar. The long-term objective is to breed these animals in captivity and eventually release them into the wild, once they demonstrate the ability to survive independently. Efforts at the facility are supported through regional cooperation and knowledge-sharing with other breeding programmes. These include partnerships with the Breeding Centre for Endangered Arabian Wildlife in Sharjah. The Arabian leopard ( Panthera pardus nimr ) is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. Once found across both northern and southern Oman, its current range is limited to the Dhofar Mountains, where fewer than 50 individuals remain. Captive breeding of the species in Oman began in 1985, using four leopards captured in Jabal Samhan. The first cub was born in captivity in 1989. Over the next eight years, ten cubs were bred successfully, with the last birth recorded in February 1997. The programme gained fresh momentum in 2015 with the introduction of a male leopard from Yemen. In 2022, a female from the Sharjah centre was introduced to the Muscat facility. On February 15, 2023 she gave birth to a female cub – the first leopard born at the centre in 26 years. Officials believe the birth of the cub marks an important step towards preserving the Arabian leopard. As the cub's father is a wild-caught leopard, her genetic makeup could help diversify the limited captive population across the region. The centre also breeds and cares for other endangered native species, including the Arabian gazelle and Arabian tahr, as part of Oman's broader wildlife conservation efforts.
Observer
6 days ago
- Observer
Over 60 bird species recorded in Al Jazir coastal survey
AL JAZIR: In a continued effort to protect ecosystems and monitor biodiversity across the Sultanate of Oman, the Environment Authority has carried out extensive field surveys in the Wilayat of Al Jazir in Al Wusta Governorate, focusing on three key coastal creeks: Khor Ghawi, Khor Qaised and Khor Ghadisir. According to Abdullah bin Salim al Wardi, Head of the Department of Environment Conservation in Al Wusta, the surveys aimed to document seabirds and migratory bird populations while assessing the environmental health of these biodiversity-rich areas. The findings revealed the presence of over 60 species of resident, migratory and rare birds. Among the notable species recorded were the great white heron, grey heron, green-backed heron, black tern, sandwich tern, roseate tern, black ibis, Siberian gull, greater flamingo, water curlew, red-legged sandpiper, common mynah, bulbul and house crow. Al Wardi emphasised that such field surveys are crucial for accurate biodiversity monitoring, documenting endangered and rare species, and evaluating the status of coastal ecosystems. This data supports more effective and sustainable environmental management decisions. He also noted that these surveys contribute valuable, real-time data to environmental databases, help identify potential wildlife reserve sites and enhance public awareness while promoting collaboration with partner environmental agencies. – ONA
Times of Oman
27-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Environment Authority conducts field surveys of coastal areas in Al Jazir
Al Jazir: As part of its efforts to enhance the protection of ecosystems and monitor biodiversity in the Sultanate of Oman, the Environment Authority this year conducted comprehensive field surveys of birds in the coastal area of Al Wusta Governorate's Wilayat Al Jazir, with emphasis on the three creeks of Khor Ghawi, Khor Qaised and Khor Ghadisir. Abdullah Salim Al Wardi, Head of the Department of Environment Conservation in Al Wusta Governorate, said that the surveys were aimed to document various species of seabirds and migratory birds and assess the overall environmental situation in these sites—deemed rich in biodiversity and natural resources. Al Wardi told Oman News Agency (ONA) that the surveys conducted in Al Wusta Governorate this year unveiled the prevalence of more than 60 species of resident, migratory and rare birds in the target areas. He explained that the bird species include the great white heron, grey heron, green-backed heron, black tern, sandwich tern, roseate tern, black ibis, little sandpiper, red-legged sandpiper, Siberian gull, greater flamingo, common mynah, water curlew, bulbul and the house crow, among other species. Al Wardi pointed out that field surveys bring about various benefits, like monitoring biodiversity with precision, documenting rare and endangered species and analysing the environmental status of coastal systems to enhance sustainable environmental management decisions. He added that surveys also provide environmental databases with accurate and up-to-date information, identify sites of special significance that might be eligible for listing as protected wildlife reserves, in addition to raising public awareness and enhancing cooperation with partner environment authorities.
