Muscat – Despite the government’s efforts over the years to reduce collision with stray camels, Oman has witnessed 17 per cent increase in such collisions last year.

Data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) confirmed the death of 11 people and injuries to 45 others in a number of vehicle-collisions with stray camels in 2021. The Governorate of Dhofar recorded the highest number of accidents with 20 such cases during the last year.

Nasser al Hosni, manager at Happy Line Transportation, told Muscat Daily that road mishaps due to stray camels are a major cause of concern for the residents and motorists alike.

“They hit our buses recently in the wilayat of Salalah. I think camel owners should put fluorescent reflective tapes on them so that motorists can be alerted.”

Ahmed Kharusia, a concerned citizen, said, “Accidents due to stray camels suddenly appearing in front are quite frequent. I think camel owners should carefully monitor the movement of their livestocks, especially at night. It is also important that motorists understand the importance of driving carefully at night.”

Due to this rise in camel related accidents, several municipalities have launched major campaigns to curb the menace of straying camels in areas, such as Barka in South Batinah and Izki in Dakhliyah.

Oman has a total camel population of 242,833, with Dhofar having the largest number of animals (145,875), followed by North Sharqiyah (21,577).

In June last year, the Ministry of Interior had issued a decision (No 164/2021) amending some provisions for the confinement of stray or neglected animals. The definition of stray or neglected animals now includes camels, horses, cows, goats, sheep, and any other animal left by its owner or guardian to wander without supervision.

The competent municipality has been empowered to collect a daily fee from the owner of stray or neglected animals in return of the services provided to those animals.

Municipalities can impose a fine on violators of RO15 per day for each camel, horse or cow and RO5 per day for each goat, sheep, or any other small animals found wandering.

A fine of RO20 can be imposed on the owner of a stray or neglected animal by the competent municipality, and the fine shall be doubled in the event of a repeated violation.