Endangered North African gazelles relocated to idyllic Libyan island for safe haven

Eight young rhim gazelles, an endangered species native to North Africa, have been relocated to Farwa Island, Libya, near the Tunisian border, AFP reports. Transported by volunteers, these gazelles are part of a conservation effort to protect the species.

The slender-horned gazelle, which inhabits desert regions in Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, faces severe threats from hunters. As of a 2016 assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), only 300 to 600 mature rhims remain in the wild. Little has been done to protect the animals in Libya, a country troubled by ongoing conflict since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The transfer of the gazelles to the 13-kilometer-long sandbar of Farwa Island began with an initial group, followed by eight individuals, including one male and seven females, on July 18.

The gazelles quickly adapted to their new environment, frolicking upon release before disappearing into the island's wild bushes, according to conservationists cited by AFP, who are monitoring the animals with binoculars and drones.

Farwa Island, despite not being the gazelles' natural habitat, provides a safe refuge from hunters equipped with advanced technology.The island is also home to loggerhead sea turtles and serves as a stopover for migratory birds.

However, Farwa faces significant environmental threats, including illegal fishing, pollution, coastal erosion, and rising sea levels. Conservation efforts by local NGOs and activists, including replanting wind- and sea-resistant vegetation, aim to support both the island's flora and fauna. Despite the challenges, the ongoing work seeks to ensure the island remains a sanctuary for its diverse wildlife.