Tobruk — The appearance of the White-faced Whistling Duck has been recorded in the Kroum Al-Khail area, west of Tobruk, marking the first time this species has been seen in eastern Libya. This is the second recording of the bird nationwide, following a previous sighting in Misrata in 2022.
Saleh Bourziga, Director General of the Al-Hayat Organization for the Protection of Wildlife and Marine Organisms, explained to the Libyan News Agency that this transcontinental waterbird typically inhabits sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, the Comoros, and parts of Central and South America. Its appearance in North Africa is considered an unusual event with significant environmental implications.
Bourziga added that the sighting may reflect indicators linked to climate change, such as the disruption of traditional migration routes and the search for new aquatic habitats due to drought or changing weather patterns. He highlighted the importance of monitoring these phenomena as an early warning system for environmental shifts in Libya.
He further called on competent authorities to enhance environmental monitoring programs and protect aquatic habitats, urging the integration of field study results into environmental planning strategies to ensure a sustainable assessment of accelerating environmental impacts.