Muscat: Environment officers and police have caught seven people for poaching Arabian gazelle and birds in Kibayshat area of Ibri province last week.
Six of the accused are from a neighbouring country while one is an Omani, according to a press release from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs.
Four of the accused were arrested after two falcons and four slaughtered birds were found hidden in their vehicle.
The other three were arrested after they poached a gazelle in Kibayshat area.
Unlicensed traditional hunting guns were confiscated from the accused.
All of the accused were taken into custody and legal action will be taken against them.
Most of the hunters smuggle the Arabian gazelle outside the country dead or alive, as they make huge profits from selling it.
Under Omani laws poachers face penalties ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 Omani riyals and imprisonment from a minimum of six months to a maximum of five years for hunting or smuggling animals.
Anyone who carries unlicensed guns could face at least one year jail term and a fine of 500 riyals, according to guns and ammunitions law.
