As part of the monitoring activities conducted by the Bessida Society for the Protection of Farwa Island and Lake, a report was issued indicating the presence of a significant number of dead birds along the island’s northern shore, with more than 80 individuals found in a limited area.

A coordinated field visit was carried out on Tuesday, 25 May 2021, by a joint team from the Libyan Society for Birds, Bessida Society, and veterinary experts from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli.

The team, which included Dr. Abdelmajid Hamhoum, surveyed a 6 km stretch of coastline on the northern side of the island and documented 33 dead birds. Preliminary analysis suggested that the deaths had occurred more than 20 days earlier. The species was identified as Scopoli’s Shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), rather than gulls or grebes as initially assumed.

Samples (swabs) were collected from one of the carcasses. Dissection and analysis of the digestive system—particularly the stomach, intestines, and gizzard—showed no traces of plastic, which had been among the initial suspected causes of mortality.

The society extends its sincere thanks to colleagues at the Bessida Society for their active role and warm hospitality, and to Dr. Abdelmajid Hamhoum for his valuable contributions during the fieldwork