On Saturday, 22 February 2025, the Libyan Birdwatching Platform was officially launched at the headquarters of Libyan Spider Company. This national scientific initiative is the result of a partnership between the Libyan Society for Birds and Libyan Spider Company.
We extend our sincere thanks to Libyan Spider Company for their warm reception, exceptional support, and valuable efforts, which played a pivotal role in the success of this national initiative. We also highly appreciate all contributions that helped ensure the success of this project.
This platform serves as a scientific tool for monitoring and documenting the diversity of birds in Libya, raising environmental awareness regarding the importance of wetlands frequented by waterbirds, and supporting efforts to conserve biodiversity in the country.
The Libyan Society for Birds participated in a workshop organized by the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), under the title: “Strengthening Governance and the Institutional Framework for Integrated Climate Change Strategies in Libya”.
The Libyan Society for Birds was represented at the workshop by its Chairman, Prof. Khaled Etayeb. This participation reflects the Society’s commitment to actively contributing to national and international efforts to address the challenges of climate change and its impacts on the environment and biodiversity in Libya, particularly regarding the protection of birds and their natural habitats.
On the occasion of World Wetlands Day, which falls on 2 February 2025, the Libyan Society for Birds, in collaboration with the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli, and Al-Khwarizmi Al-Sagheer School, and hosted by the Al-Hadba Wastewater Treatment Station under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment – Libya, organized a scientific and educational event highlighting the importance of wetlands in biodiversity conservation.
The program included introductory segments about the occasion, followed by welcoming and awareness speeches emphasizing the vital role of wetlands in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance, as well as discussing the threats facing these ecosystems. Recreational and educational activities were organized for the school students, including intellectual competitions designed to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands.
The final activity involved birdwatching, where the students, assisted by members of the Libyan Society for Birds, learned to identify different bird species, while receiving valuable information about the role of birds in the ecosystem and maintaining natural balance.
In conclusion, sincere thanks are extended to all who contributed to the success of this event, with special appreciation to the management and staff of the Al-Hadba Wastewater Treatment Station for their extensive cooperation in organizing this activity.
By the grace of God, the wetland bird census covering the area between Derna and Tobruk was successfully conducted from 20 to 23 January 2025, in coordination and collaboration with the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli, and Alhaya Organization for Protection of Wildlife and Marine Organisms, as part of the 2025 Winter Waterbird Survey in Libya (IWC 2025).
On 22 January, a meeting was held with a group of local hunters to discuss and understand the causes of declining bird numbers based on their field experience. The meeting was productive and resulted in several recommendations, the most important of which was the establishment of nature reserves in the region to protect migratory birds.
On 21 January 2025, a scientific seminar entitled “Wetlands and Bird Census” was organized, with a focus on the Wadi Al-Naqah Reserve. The seminar was hosted by the Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al-Qubbah Branch, University of Derna, and attended by a distinguished group of professors, specialists, and students.
The Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) extends its sincere gratitude to all entities that contributed to the success of these environmental activities, including:
The Winter Survey Team (Libyan Society for Birds and the Department of Zoology, University of Tripoli).
Participating hunters.
Faculty of Science and Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Al-Qubbah Branch.
Alhaya Organization for Protection of Wildlife and Marine Organisms, for their coordination, warm hospitality, and active participation.
With the grace of God, the Winter Waterbird Census in Libya (IWC 2025) was launched on 15 January 2025, in coordination with Wetlands International and the Mediterranean Waterbirds Network.
The program in Libya is carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment – Libya, with the participation and implementation of the Libyan Society for Birds (LSB), and in collaboration with:
Bessida Society for the Protection of Furwah Island and Lake.
Libyan Organization for Conservation of Nature – Misrata.
Alhaya Organization for Protection of Wildlife and Marine Organisms.
National Research Center for Tropical and Transboundary Diseases.
Faculty of Natural Resources – University of Al-Jufra.
Over the past two days, a field survey was conducted in the Greater Zuwara area, while work is currently underway in the Greater Misrata area. The team is scheduled to continue its efforts throughout the season to cover all coastal wetlands, in addition to selected sites in the Al-Jufra region.
The Libyan Society for Birds extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all partners and collaborators for their support in this important national effort, which contributes to safeguarding biodiversity and monitoring migratory waterbirds in Libya.
The activities of the Farwa Environmental Camp 2024 at Farwa Protected Area commenced on Saturday, 14 September 2024, organized jointly by the Bessida Society for the Protection of Farwa Island and Lake, the Libyan Society for Birds (LSB), and the Libyan Center for Terrestrial and Marine Environmental Research.
The opening program was attended by Dr. Ibrahim Al-Munir, Minister of Environment, members of the Zuwara Municipal Council, as well as a number of professors, experts, and specialists in the field of environment. Participants also represented several governmental and civil society organizations, including the Libyan Center for Climate Change Research, the Libyan Society of Artisanal Fishery Friends, LECAO, Bado Society for the protection of marine and terrestrial life, Zuwara Red Crescent, and the Zuwara Center for Medicine, Emergency, and Support.
Following the opening ceremony, the scientific program of the camp commenced, running over a period of three days.
All participants commended the topics presented, particularly those related to the Ministry of Environment and its efforts to facilitate solutions for challenges facing voluntary and community-based work.
The organizing committee of the camp extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to all who contributed to the success of the camp programs, especially Dr. Ibrahim Al-Munir for his generosity and presence at the opening ceremony and the first scientific session. The committee also expresses gratitude to all lecturers who contributed to the camp and wishes success to everyone involved.
In a significant step towards enhancing environmental awareness and biodiversity conservation in Libya, a partnership agreement was signed today, Saturday, 7 September 2024, between the Libyan Society for Birds and Libyan Spider, aiming to launch an integrated digital platform designed to showcase the diversity of birds in Libya and highlight the importance of protecting them and their natural habitats.
The platform will provide a comprehensive database of bird species in Libya, including details on their classification, geographical distribution, and ecological behavior. It will support the Libyan Society for Birds in collecting and documenting scientific data on birds, contributing to a better understanding of environmental changes and their impact on biodiversity, and promoting public awareness about the importance of protecting birds and their habitats from various threats, such as climate change, illegal hunting, and habitat destruction.
The Libyan Society for Birds expresses its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the management and team of Libyan Spider for their strong support in realizing this partnership and extends thanks to all who contributed to the success of this ambitious project.
Saturday, 7 September 2024, marks World Vulture Awareness Day, which is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of September since its inception in 2006.
On this occasion, the Libyan Society for Birds extends its sincere gratitude and appreciation to all who contribute to the protection and conservation of vultures, given their essential role in maintaining ecological balance. Vultures face increasing threats from urban expansion and human activities that disturb them and displace them from their natural habitats.
We also recall the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), once widespread in Jebel Nafusa and the Green Mountain, which has now become extremely rare. In contrast, in 2021, Libya recorded the presence of a new species, the Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture (Gyps rueppelli), also known as the “Spotted Vulture,” documented by members of the Libyan Society for Birds and later delivered to the Tripoli Zoo, which works diligently to care for and protect vultures.
The Libyan Society for Birds hopes that this day will help raise environmental awareness about the importance of vultures, their role in nature, and the need to preserve them and their habitats for future generations.
On Saturday, 13 July 2024, the Libyan Society for Birds organized a field trip to Wadi Al-Majinin Dam as part of its ongoing field monitoring of waterbirds and terrestrial birds in wetland areas. These activities aim to enhance knowledge of biodiversity and monitor environmental changes affecting these important bird habitats.
On Saturday, 29 June 2024, a field trip to the Ain and Sabkha Tawergha area was organized jointly by the Libyan Society for Birds, the Department of Zoology, University of Tripoli, and the Libyan Organization for Conservation of Nature. The trip was part of efforts to enhance the field knowledge of graduate students enrolled in the Ornithology course.
The field visit aimed to study the environmental and natural features of the wetland area and explore its diverse habitats, including the spring, tributaries, and sabkha, in addition to documenting the bird species present.
The organizers extend their gratitude to all participants who contributed to the success of the trip, especially the Movement Department at the University of Tripoli.
Photography: Abdelati Al-Sweib – Libyan Organization for Conservation of Nature.
In the framework of its scientific and environmental activities, the Libyan Society for Birds (LSB) participated on Thursday, June 13, 2024, in a workshop dedicated to the adoption of the National Plan for the Conservation of Chondrichthyan Fishes.
The plan was prepared by Prof. Ismail Al-Shuqman under the supervision of the Ministry of Environment, with the support of the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected Areas (RAC/SPA) of the Mediterranean Action Plan, under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP/MAP).
The workshop was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Environment, with the participation of representatives from several ministries, research centers, and universities, alongside specialized experts. The contribution of the Libyan Society for Birds was notable through the attendance of its Chairman of the Board, the Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs, and several members. The sessions included constructive scientific discussions that led to the adoption of the plan.
The Society extends its sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Environment and the Libyan Society of Artisanal Fishery Friends for their kind invitation, excellent coordination, and warm hospitality.
Sousse, Tunisia – May 27–29, 2024 The Mediterranean Waterbirds Network (MWN) workshop was held in Sousse, bringing members together face-to-face to exchange experiences and engage in fruitful discussions on strategies for the conservation of waterbirds and their habitats across the Mediterranean Basin.
The Libyan Society for Birds was represented by Prof. Khaled Etayeb, who emphasized the importance of regional cooperation in strengthening both scientific and practical efforts to safeguard biodiversity in wetlands.
This participation reflects the Society’s commitment to representing Libya in international and regional events, while contributing to the development of scientific networks that support the conservation of waterbirds and the protection of their natural habitats.
