A rise in weasel sightings across Bahrain has raised concerns among some residents, but an animal welfare activist is urging the public not to fear the small creatures and to leave them alone.
The ferret-like mammals have recently been spotted in areas including Bani Jamra, Karzakan and Karbabad, with some sightings occurring inside private properties and near farms.
The increase in sightings has also sparked discussions online, with residents questioning whether weasels pose a danger to people and what they should do if one appears near their home or farm.
Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) chairman Mahmood Faraj urged farmers to protect their poultry while leaving the weasels alone.
“If you have farms animals and birds such as chickens, just make sure they are kept in proper cages, as weasels usually eat eggs,” he told the GDN.
Mr Faraj said the mammals are not harmful to humans and are more likely to run away when approached.
“If anything, they are scared of humans. When they see people or any movement, they run away,” he said.
Mr Faraj said weasels also play an important role in the environment by hunting mice, voles and rats, helping to control rodent populations that can damage crops and spread disease.
As small predators, they help maintain the natural balance by preventing prey species from becoming overpopulated and exhausting local food sources.
However, weasels are also known to prey on poultry and eat eggs, making it important for farmers to keep chickens properly secured.
Mr Faraj said he was unsure why there had been an increase in sightings across Bahrain, but suggested that unusually hot weather could be driving the animals out in search of shelter.
“The weather is extremely hot, so they may be trying to find shelter. This could explain why there have been more reported sightings recently, whereas normally they would remain hidden,” he said.
He urged residents and farmers not to harm the animals if they are spotted near their properties.
“We wish everyone would leave these animals alone, as they do a lot of good for the environment,” he said.
The GDN also contacted MP Hanan Fardan, who said officials are taking residents’ concerns seriously and are looking into the matter.
Similar concerns were raised in January 2019, when the GDN reported that residents in Bahrain’s Buhair Valley had complained about packs of wild weasels entering nearby homes and residential areas. The animals had been displaced, and their population increased following the clearing of parts of the valley for housing and infrastructure projects.
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