Un clip de pe YouTube a confirmat existența unei feline misterioase pe care oamenii de știință o căutau de zeci de ani

A YouTube video from 2017 provided the first official evidence of the sand cat's presence in Libya, leading to significant ecological research. The sand cat, known for its elusive nature, was filmed by Libyan photographer Mohammed Almuntasir, who unknowingly documented a species previously thought unconfirmed in the region. This discovery prompted collaboration with ecologist Firas Hayder, resulting in eight years of research published in the Journal of Arid Environments. The study identified 36 sightings, highlighting the importance of southwestern Libya as a habitat. Despite being classified as low risk by the IUCN, concerns about climate change and illegal trade threaten the species' survival.