Muscat – Environment Authority (EA) has eliminated 52,248 invasive birds in Dhofar.

A statement issued by EA said, ‘A team participating in the National Campaign on Combating Invasive Birds removed 52,248 invasive birds between December 13, 2022 and February 25, 2023.’

The statement further elaborated that of the birds eliminated, 36,509 were mynas and 15,739 house crows in the wilayats of Salalah, Taqah, Mirbat and Sadah.

The national campaign was launched in Dhofar and will continue for several months covering other governorates, including Muscat and North Batinah.

Talib Ali al Abri, Assistant Director of Directorate General of Environment in Dhofar and head of the sub-committee for National Campaign on Combating Invasive Birds, said, “These birds are concentrated in the coastal areas in the governorates of North Batinah, South Batinah and Muscat.”

The birds of invasive species are being eliminated with air guns and trapping cages in sites of high prevalence.

“Invasive birds impact the ecosystem in a negative way. They cause biological imbalance by disrupting the natural food chain. They also transmit diseases, like bird flu, and destroy agricultural crops, fruits and orchards.”

Muscat Municipality is also considering action on invasive birds. ‘Among the proposed methods to combat these are installing cages and poisonous bait at sites where these birds feed and nest,’ the civic authority has stated.

It further added that the municipality relies on the community to eliminate these birds by shutting garbage containers, whether in residential neighbourhoods, beaches or parks, and not littering and throwing leftovers in open spaces.

‘These birds have caused a clear disruption to the ecosystem, and have serious health and economic effects due to their aggressive nature when competing for food and nesting. They also damage agricultural crop and attack poultry. These birds transmit diseases such as avian influenza, and spread salmonella bacteria and skin rash in humans, besides damaging public property.’