Muscat: Inspectors from the Wildlife Protection Directorate in Dhofar confiscated 17 falcons which were smuggled into Oman from a neighbouring country, and arrested the traffickers.
Omani authorities are clamping down on those breaking laws protecting wildlife.
Four other lawbreakers are also facing trial for hunting an Arabian gazelle in breach of the law banning the targeting of such animals.
If convicted, they could be sentenced to prison terms ranging from 6 months to 5 years and fined up to OMR5000 each.