MUSCAT: As part of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism's strategic plans to develop Oman's museums, the Natural History Museum has been closed to establish a new, modern Natural History Museum that will highlight different themes.
As per the latest digital publication by the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, more than 11,000 people visited the museum in 2025.
One of the major themes of the Natural History Museum is Oman's geological heritage from the formation of the Earth and the beginning of life, a detailed presentation of the geological eras supported by the most important fossils and scientific discoveries.
The theme, Terrestrial Environments across North, Central, and South Oman, showcases the main components of the country's natural heritage and wildlife.
The third theme, coastal environments and wetlands (coastal lagoons) for which Oman is famous, is to highlight the role of Omanis and their positive interaction with surrounding environments.
Omani seas and their distinctive marine biodiversity are the fourth theme, and the fifth theme is dedicated to high-impact educational and interactive experiences.
The museum closure was announced early in 2026; however, the museum's activities continue with the external programmes, such as educational workshops, events, and temporary exhibitions held outside the museum building in cooperation with various government institutions and public and private schools.
According to the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the relocation process was carried out with the highest professional standards, with a specialised transportation company moving the items safely. The museum collections are temporarily stored at a storage facility in Rusayl.
Dismantling and transporting the sperm whale skeleton was one of the most challenging operations. The iconic sperm whale skeleton sections were divided into four before and were successfully relocated without damage.
The total number of museum visitors during this year reached 11,063, and the total number of school students was 5,617.
The museum had 2,912 international visitors from 78 nationalities around the world.
During 2025, the total number of Indian visitors reached 459, representing the highest percentage of visitors from abroad. The museum has been an attraction for students with 128 school trips during the year.
The museum also organised 76 educational workshops inside and outside the museum for a total of 2,669 students. Six temporary exhibitions were conducted in collaboration with different institutions.
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