Wildlife tourism set to grow in Dhofar
Others will talk about its stunning coastline, mangrove forests of khawrs and other areas known for a great variety of animals, offering exciting opportunities for wildlife watchers.
Oman in general and Dhofar in particular holds out a great potential for wildlife and nature tourism or what is often called ecological tourism. The ongoing Khareef Festival has made special efforts to acquaint the tourists with the region's potential for wildlife tourism.
At the festival ground the Dolphin Show, Birds & Reptiles Village and free distribution of publications such as Wild Mammals in Omani Environment, A Guide to Oman's Protected Areas and Man and Environment go a long way in showcasing Oman's wildlife in an aesthetic manner.
Because vast areas of Dhofar are home to some of the rarest species of wildlife in the world, slowly but surely wildlife tourism is growing in this region. The tourist industry here revolves around a basic framework of national parks, mangrove forests around Khawrs, nature reserves, and bird sanctuaries.
Wildlife enthusiasts make it a point to visit places such as Jebel Samhan Nature Reserve, Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve and nine Khawrs Reserves of Dhofar Coast, namely Khawr Mughsayl, Dahareez, Baleed, Awqad, Khawr Qurm As-Sagheer & Al Kabeer, Sawli, Taqah and Rawri.
From the earliest times human beings have looked to such sites for recreation. Today, recreation in these areas has assumed ever-growing importance with the growth of cities whose inhabitants need a change of scene, fresh air, and freedom to wander, as a relief to the stresses of busy city life.
Thanks to imaginative planning, wildlife tourism in Oman seeks to ensure that tourists actually find what they are seeking without causing damage to the environment.
The rich wildlife of Dhofar attracts wildlife enthusiasts as well as experts for scientific studies. Take, for example, the Jebel Al Qamar, which attracts wildlife lovers because it is a haven for caracal and other animals. The presence of this medium-sized yellowish red-brown cat has decked up the Al Qamar mountains
According to Wild Mammals in Omani Environment, a recent publication of the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Water Resources and Environment, "The Caracal of Dhofar tends to live in solitude, and usually appears at night to hunt rabbits, rats, birds or small gazelle". It gives birth to one or two cubs. The gestation period is 75 days.
The Qamar mountains are also a habitat for Hyrax, a tailless dark brown animal with green patches on its back. It feeds on toxic plants and can survive without water for very long periods.
Arabian Wolf, though not in large numbers now, can be found in Dhofar mountains and Al Jazir coastal areas. It is basically of a pale colour ranging from brown, through grey, to a yellowish sand colour, with short hairs and a shabby-looking short tail usually pointing downwards. It feeds on carrion, rodents, birds, reptiles, insects and cattle.
The Spotted Genet, an animal with short legs, distinct jaws, large eyes, big ears and a greyish colour on its back, is found usually only in Dhofar Governorate. With five rows of red spots on each side and back and 12 black rings on the tail, the Spotted Genet is a unique animal of its kind.
Wildlife experts say it leads a solitary and nocturnal life, hiding during the day in bushes or between rocks and feeds on insects, fruits, birds, small rodents, lizards, scorpions and frogs.
Honey Badger, a rare animal in Oman, is sighted in the mountains of the Dhofar Governorate. It is a strong animal that is active in night. During cold weather and cloudy skies, Honey Badger can lead an active life even in the day as well.
Samhan mountains are known for Nubian Ibex and Arabian Gazelle. Nubian Ibex, with its light brown and a dark line on the back adds to the beauty of mountains. Its horns are longer than those of the Arabian Tahr. The Nubian Ibex is said to be facing starvation due to overgrazing of its habitat by cattle and goats.
Red fox is widespread in Dhofar's mountains, Salalah Alluvial plain and Salalah coastal plain, which provide them with good hunting ground and plenty of rodents, a staple of the fox's food. The red fox feeds on rodents, reptiles, birds, baby turtles and small goat and sheep. The fox's keen senses and alertness keep it mostly inconspicuous to humans. Red foxes are believed to pair for life; their lifespan is about 12 years.
Jiddat Al Harasis is known for Sand Gazelles (Reem), which are now counted among the endangered and rare species of Oman. They are larger in size than the Arabian Gazelle with lighter colour in distinct stripes.
They feed on shrubs, resist drought and high temperatures and live in herds of 2-20 heads. Ruppell's Sand Fox is a beautiful animal. You can find it in Jiddat Al Harasis and Samhan Mountains. It has a white and light coloured fur with a white tail and a dark orange colour dominant on the sides. Ruppell's Sand Fox lives in burrows dug in sand and feeds on small mammals like lizards, insects and birds and plants.
You can also catch a glimpse of Arabian Gazelle in Jiddat Al Harasis. The Arabian Gazelle differs from the Sand Gazelle (Reem) by its dark-brown colour and its slenderness and swiftness. Jiddat Al Harasis, which is also home to the Arabian (White) Oryx, was proclaimed a nature reserve in 1994. Weighing about 90 kgs, the Arabian Oryx is a beautiful animal that most wildlife enthusiasts want to watch.
Arabian leopard can be sighted in Dhofar mountains as well as in Al Jazir. Known as a very strong predator, the Arabian Leopard feeds on rabbits, birds, gazelle, goats and sheep. Unless disturbed it does not attack human beings.
Oman Observer 9th August 2001
