Five poachers to shoot down a stork in northern Lebanon. Photo sent by Michel Hallak.
AKKAR — Illegal and widespread hunting continues to target migratory birds, particularly in North Lebanon, according to witnesses and pictures and videos circulating online. Illegal hunting has become widespread across Zgharta, Bsharri, Akkar and Minyeh-Dinnieh.
Hunting is strictly prohibited in the spring due to it being peak nesting season, and migratory birds, seeing as they don't settle in Lebanon, are also illegal to target. These birds pass through Lebanon's skies in autumn, from Europe to Africa, and in spring, returning to Europe, following natural migration routes.
Lebanon has faced repeated criticism from European nations for failing to curb illegal hunting, which kills thousands of birds each year, including species protected by international conventions, such as black and white storks and pelicans.
Migratory bird routes through Lebanon
Despite clear evidence of poaching, law enforcement efforts remain insufficient, even when illegal hunting occurs near patrols of the Internal Security Forces (ISF).
Environmental activists in the region are urging the relevant ministries — particularly Environment, Agriculture, and Interior — to take action and put an end to rampant off-season hunting. While the ISF arrested two poachers on March 8, activists say these measures remain inadequate.
Lebanon serves as a major migratory corridor between Africa and Europe because of its numerous water sources. However, the country has never fully enforced its hunting regulations. Former Environment Minister Nasser Yassin, who also served as the de facto head of the Supreme Council for Hunting, opted for a hunting ban but failed to curb poaching.
According to BirdLife International, a global partnership of bird conservation organizations, an estimated 2.6 million birds are illegally killed in Lebanon each year.
Additional reporting contributed by Michel Hallak.
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