Illegal Bird Hunting in Lebanon Threatens Migratory Birds
Hunting migratory birds is illegal in Lebanon, but a series of crises means that enforcement is laughable and migratory birds are being shot “just for fun.”
Illegal hunting of migratory birds is rampant in Lebanon due to various crises, including a weak government, financial crisis, and war.
According to BirdLife International 2.6 million birds are illegally killed each year while flying over Lebanese territory due to a lack of enforcement of hunting laws — a journey undertaken by approximately 2 billion birds.
Shell casings litter a meadow on Mount Terbol in northern Lebanon. The valley below lies along one of the world’s most heavily used migratory bird routes. The mountaintop, swept by harsh winds, forms a natural corridor that causes birds exhausted from long journeys between Africa and Eurasia to fly at low altitudes. These low-flying birds are easy targets for hobby hunters living in mountain communities, says Michel Sawan, director of the Lebanese Association for Migratory Birds (LAMB). “They say: ‚We inherited this culture from our grandfathers,’ and I keep saying: ‚Your grandfathers were and are wrong.’”
Birds are a global treasure. They do not belong to just one country — they are a global responsibility. — Przemysław Niesołowski, Polish Ambassador to Lebanon
Social media and modern weapons have further escalated this centuries-old practice, with hobby hunters posting videos of their kills for likes.
Despite the efforts of conservationists and the risks they face, including threats at gunpoint, the situation remains serious.
The killing of birds of prey such as the lesser spotted eagle and the sparrowhawk has a negative impact on Lebanon's ecosystem. These birds serve to keep rodents and pests under control. Without these birds of prey, farmers are forced to use rat poison to protect their crops.
Conservation organizations advocate for the protection of bird habitats, emphasizing the important role birds play in maintaining ecological balance.
