Wildlife of Libya

Ecoregion of Ubari oasis - with lakes in Erg Awbari (Idehan Ubari) in the Sahara Desert region of the Wadi Al Hayaa District, of the Fezzan region in southwestern Libya

The wildlife of Libya is spread over the Mediterranean coastline and encompasses large areas of the Saharan desert. The protection of wildlife is provided through appropriate legislation in seven national parks, five reserves, 24 protected areas, two wetlands under Ramsar Convention,[1] and also in other areas. Apart from these, there are also five UNESCO World Heritage Sites related to culture. The most important national parks are the El-Kouf National Park and Karabolli National Park. The well known nature reserves are the Benghazi Reserve and the Zellaf Reserve.[2][3] The wildlife species recorded in the country are 87 mammals and 338 species of birds.

Libya's natural national assets are its nearly 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of coastline and the vast Sahara desert which is the semiarid and arid region to the south. Its hills, ponds and coastal habitats which comprise coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds, salt marshes, and mud flats add to its biodiversity. Some of the sites are important for migratory birds.[4]

  1. ^ "Ramsar Sites Information Service".
  2. ^ "Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya". Parks.it. Retrieved 6 March 2013.
  3. ^ Ethel Davis (15 September 2009). North Africa: The Roman Coast. Bradt Travel Guides. pp. 326–. ISBN 978-1-84162-287-3. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  4. ^ Waniss A. Otman; Erling Karlberg (1 January 2007). The Libyan Economy. Springer. pp. 304–. ISBN 978-3-540-46463-1. Retrieved 7 February 2013.