UAA 2017 video uploaded by wildlife photographer Mohamed Almuntafir to YouTube has provided the first concrete evidence of the sand cat (Felis margarita), a rare feline species adapted to true desert conditions, existing in Libya. Initially dismissed by others, the footage was later confirmed by researchers, leading to increased interest in studying the species. The area around southern-western Libya, which includes regions close to Zintan where Almuntafir lives, appears to be an underexplored habitat for the sand cat. Zoologist Firas Haidar noted that there were no scientific records confirming the presence of the sand cat in Libya until now. Almuntafir, who did not actively promote his video, has since collaborated with Haidar over eight years, primarily through remote methods, due to the dangerous conditions in the region caused by smuggling networks operating across borders with Algeria, Niger, and Chad.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual account of scientific discovery and environmental research without overt ideological framing. It focuses on the confirmation of a rare animal species' existence in Libya, emphasizing collaboration between a local photographer and an international zoologist. While the U
