50 Arabian lynx in Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve in Dhofar: Oman’s EA

Sadah: The number of Arabian lynx in Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve in Dhofar Governorate has reached approximately 50, according to what was monitored by direct observations and camera traps monitored by the Environment Authority.

The Arabian lynx is one of the species of short-tailed predatory cats that is threatened with extinction. It is mainly found in the continents of Asia and Africa, including the Jabal Samhan Nature Reserve. It has also been observed during the recent period in most of the valleys with dense vegetation in the central mountain areas and the western region of the governorate.

The Arabian lynx has been observed in the reserve since the 1990s, and is distinguished by its medium size and high speed compared to other wild cats. Suhail bin Muhammad Al-Mushaykhi, an environmental systems specialist at the Jabal Samhan Natural Reserve, told that there are many reports received by specialists at the Jabal Samhan Natural Reserve about the Arabian lynx, as in the years 2021 and 2022, about eight reports were recorded about the Arabian lynx being monitored, including 3 cases by cameras. While the year 2023 witnessed the recording of 7 reports, including 2 via trap cameras.

Al-Mashikhi added that the Arabian lynx has many physical and behavioral characteristics that distinguish it from other felines, most notably its extreme speed despite its heavy weight compared to other medium-sized cats, as its average length ranges from 60 to 91 centimeters and its weight ranges from 6 to 19 kilograms. A relatively short tail, about 23 to 31 centimeters long.

Regarding the efforts of the Environment Agency to preserve this animal and biodiversity in general, Al-Mashaikhi stressed that the Authority is making great efforts by establishing legal and legislative frameworks that criminalize the violation of wildlife, whether in the reserve or outside it, in order to limit violations and create an imbalance in the environmental balance.