Al Wusta reserve opens for public

The reserve will be open from 7:30 am to 11 am and from 3 pm to 5 pm.

Out of the five protected areas under Diwan of the Royal Court present in Muscat, Al Wusta Governorate and Dhofar Governorate, Al Wusta reserve has had to face challenges vis-à-vis its wildlife.

The challenge has been the problem of illegal hunting, which experts believe, can be tackled through eco-tourism. “We are closely working with Tanfeedh to increase the potential to develop eco-tourism on a larger scale,” according to officials.

The targeted animals are mostly the Arabian Gazelle and the Arabian Oryx. These species are an important part of Oman’s natural heritage. The Jiddat al Harasis used to have its own rangers from the local community in the past, says an expert.

The population of Arabian Oryx in the reserve stands at 600. There are other species such as the Sand Gazelle (Reem), Arabian Gazelle and Ibex.

The reserve has landscapes and geological diversity that attracts geologists from all over the world because there are some geological features in Huqf area that are not found anywhere in the world.

They are important for the petroleum industry as these layers are not exposed to the surface. Layers that contain oil are usually found a few kilometres underground.

Here, they are exposed to the surface. This is why students of geology from many universities around the world come here.

The reserve was earlier called The Oryx Sanctuary. A Royal Decree renamed it the Al Wusta Wildlife Reserve.