BEIRUT — Minister of Agriculture Nizar Hani sent an official circular to the Public Prosecutor regarding information in the media and online about the smuggling of wild animals and protected bird species in Lebanon, according to a statement published by the state-run National News Agency on Sunday (NNA).

In addition to damaging an already struggling ecosystem in Lebanon, smuggling wild animals is illegal under the CITES Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) ratified by the Lebanese state.

It's unclear whether the smuggling generally targeted by the circular involves wildlife from Lebanon being captured and sent abroad, or wildlife from abroad smuggled into the country, but it revolves around one particular case that falls under the latter.

A complaint was initially filed by animal rights activist Ghina Nahfawi Baltagi and was based on a social media post shared by an individual who openly admitted to having illegally smuggled, among other creatures, a monkey of an endangered species. Nahfawi told L'Orient-Le Jour that she took action after finding a post in which the man boasts about "smuggling a monkey from the airport directly to his home."

"This is proof that there is a series of collusions in various institutions, such as the airport," the activists argues.

She applauded the "prompt reaction of the new minister," adding that "these importers form a real illegal gang, and this trafficking, which not only harms wildlife but also risks introducing diseases into the country, must be put to an end."

In his statement, the minister assured that the necessary judicial measures would be taken against the suspects. For its part, the ministry is ready to "fully cooperate with the competent authorities and provide all of its capabilities to the investigation, including providing any additional information that may contribute to the enforcement of relevant laws."