Muscat – The Environment Authority has recorded a rare sighting of a sand cat and her cubs in Dakhliyah governorate, confirming the continued presence of the elusive desert feline in Oman.

The images, captured by camera traps installed in remote areas, show the female sand cat moving with her young in their natural habitat. The authority said the footage provides evidence of successful breeding and reflects the species’ ability to survive in harsh desert and mountainous terrain.

It added that the sighting underscores national efforts to conserve biodiversity and protect wildlife across the sultanate.

In Bedouin folklore, sand cats are referred to as the ‘ghosts of the desert’. Their fur-covered foot pads help muffle their tracks on sand. When exposed to light, they crouch low and close their eyes, a behaviour that makes them difficult to detect.

The distribution of sand cats in Oman remains limited in documentation. However, the species has previously been recorded in Dhofar, Sharqiyah, Dhahirah and the Rub Al Khali.

Classified as ‘Least Concern’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the sand cat is one of the world’s smallest wild felines and the only cat known to live year-round in true desert environments.

Globally, sand cats inhabit parts of North Africa’s Sahara, the Arabian Peninsula and areas extending into Iran, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. They prey mainly on small rodents but are also known to hunt birds such as desert larks, as well as reptiles including geckos and snakes.

The Environment Authority said wildlife species vary in their activity patterns, with some active during daylight and others at night, complicating monitoring efforts and requiring extensive fieldwork.

It noted that certain species retreat quickly to remote mountainous areas when sensing human movement, making direct observation difficult. The use of modern monitoring technology, including camera traps, has therefore become essential for documentation and research.

The authority reaffirmed its commitment to continuing wildlife monitoring programmes using advanced technologies and promoting awareness of the need to safeguard Oman’s natural heritage and biodiversity.