‘No one believed it’: how a YouTube video accidentally proved Libya’s sand cat really does exist

New Delhi, India Jul 2, 2026 ALN: In a remarkable turn of events, a brief YouTube video featuring a sand cat, Felis margarita, has sparked significant interest in wildlife conservation and research in Libya. The video, which was uploaded by wildlife photographer Mohammed Almuntasir in 2017, captured an 18-second clip of the elusive cat digging in the sandy terrain of south-west Libya. At the time, Almuntasir did not anticipate the impact this footage would have on the scientific community and conservation efforts in the region.

The sand cat is a unique species, known as the only felid that has adapted to thrive in true desert s. It is a small cat, roughly the size of a domestic feline, and its pale sandy color provides excellent camouflage against the desert backdrop, earning it the nickname “ghost of the desert.” Despite its fascinating adaptations, the sand cat has remained elusive and poorly documented in Libya, leading to skepticism about its presence in the country.

“When I posted it, nobody believed it had been filmed in Libya,” Almuntasir recalled. “Everyone denied it, but I kept insisting that the cat is here, in several places; one of them was only 70km (43 miles) from Zintan, where I live.” This determination to prove the existence of the sand cat in Libya laid the groundwork for future research and collaborations.

Almuntasir’s video inadvertently drew the attention of researchers, including Firas Hayder, a zoologist specializing in small carnivores and a postdoctoral researcher at Sol Plaatje University in South Africa. Hayder recognized the potential significance of Almuntasir’s footage and proposed a collaboration to document the sand cat’s presence in Libya and establish its status among the country’s wildlife species.

Libya’s south-west region is one of the least studied terrestrial areas in North Africa. Hayder noted that he had reviewed all available scientific literature regarding the sand cat in Libya, only to find that none had produced concrete evidence or specific coordinates to support claims of its existence. “When I asked Mohammed where he had seen the cat, he told me he had observed it in multiple areas,” Hayder said, expressing his surprise at the breadth of Almuntasir’s observations.

Conducting research in this region presents significant challenges. The ecological hotspots in Libya’s south-west lack protected areas, established camera trap infrastructure, and trained field teams. Moreover, the absence of a functioning central authority to coordinate research efforts complicates the situation further. The presence of smuggling networks operating across porous borders with Algeria, Niger, and Chad adds an additional layer of danger for researchers attempting to conduct fieldwork in these areas.

“The south-western regions of Libya are active with smuggling networks, so they are not safe,” Almuntasir explained. He recounted a harrowing experience when he and his team came under gunfire during one of their expeditions, forcing them to retreat quickly. Despite these risks, Almuntasir and Hayder embarked on an eight-year collaboration, primarily conducted remotely due to the challenging conditions on the ground.

During this period, Hayder provided Almuntasir with training in field research methods, including how to record GPS coordinates and document sightings with photographs or video. Almuntasir applied these techniques across the south-western desert, gathering testimonies from local Tuareg communities who possess intimate knowledge of the terrain and its wildlife.

Growing up in the Nafusa mountains, Almuntasir was familiar with the vast rocky desert plateau known as Hamada al Hamra, which spans approximately 84,000 square kilometers in south-western Libya. He joined local hunters on their expeditions, substituting a camera for a rifle, and recorded their accounts of sand cat sightings along with precise coordinates. This meticulous documentation enabled him to plan dedicated trips to investigate each location.

In some instances, Almuntasir and his guides followed paw prints for days, searching for a burrow where the sand cat might reside. Their dedication paid off, culminating in a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Arid s in February 2026. This study documented the presence of the sand cat at 13 sites across the Libyan Sahara, as well as the Saharan striped polecat at eight new locations, seven of which were outside the species’ recognized IUCN range.

Notably, a significant concentration of sand cat sightings—15 out of 36—occurred in Wadi Armet, a remote and isolated valley situated approximately 1,000 kilometers south-west of Tripoli. Almuntasir described Wadi Armet as “incredibly vast,” with more than half of it remaining unexplored due to its rugged terrain. This valley serves as a critical habitat for various species, as animals migrate there during the summer months in search of water, often coming from the Tassili n’Ajjer reserve across the Algerian border.

The findings of this research suggest that the sand cat may be more widespread and in better condition in Libya than previously believed. The south-west region of the country could represent a vital refuge for desert-adapted species, including the sand cat, which is one of several mammals in Libya considered threatened, alongside the cheetah, dama gazelle, and sand gerbil.

“There has always been a large question mark over Libya because of the scarcity of studies and surveys,” remarked Ibrahim Elkahwage, head of the Libyan Wildlife Trust and a member of the Libyan IUCN committee. He emphasized that this research serves as an important contribution to understanding the biodiversity hidden within the Libyan Sahara.

However, the study also highlighted concerning trends, including the sale of sand cats as pets in local markets and instances where they were accidentally killed by hunters. These findings raise alarms about the potential threats facing the species and underscore the need for conservation efforts to protect it.

Sand cats play a crucial ecological role, primarily preying on rodents such as jerboas, as well as venomous snakes and scorpions. Their presence helps maintain the balance of the desert ecosystem by preventing overpopulation of these prey species, which in turn supports the limited vegetation that sustains desert habitats.

“All Libyans should be involved in conservation efforts,” Hayder emphasized. He advocated for a collective sense of responsibility among the Libyan populace, stressing that these species represent not only the country's natural heritage but also its identity. The collaboration between Almuntasir and Hayder highlights the importance of local knowledge and community involvement in wildlife conservation, particularly in regions that have been historically overlooked in scientific studies.

This case serves as a reminder of the potential for citizen science to contribute to our understanding of biodiversity, especially in areas where traditional research methods face significant obstacles. Almuntasir’s initial video may have seemed like a simple documentation of wildlife, but it has opened the door to new discoveries and a greater appreciation for the unique species that inhabit the Libyan desert. As research continues, the hope is that increased awareness and conservation efforts will help protect not only the sand cat but also the broader ecosystem it represents.