Attempt to smuggle snakes foiled at Muscat Airport

Muscat: Several royal pythons were seized at Muscat International Airport after a traveller attempted to bring the snakes into Oman. It considers a violation to wildlife trade regulations.

The Environment Authority (EA), in cooperation with the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the Directorate General of Customs, apprehended the individual during an attempted import of the snakes through the airport.

The royal pythons are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which regulates international trade in listed wildlife species.

The attempted import violated Oman’s Wildlife Trade Regulation Law, and the necessary legal procedures have been taken against the violator, the EA said.