Nets, Glue Sticks, Electronic Calls, and Illuminated Trees: Fighting Illegal Hunting in Lebanon

By Lloyd Scott, CABS 

During bird migration seasons, CABS international teams—comprised of bird experts and wildlife crime specialists—join forces with SPNL, MESHC, and sustainable hunters in Lebanon to organize anti-poaching patrols and monitor key migration corridors in the mountains.

The Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) acts as a liaison between SPNL’s (Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon) Sustainable Hunting Program and the Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC), established in 2015. ِAPU operations are in collaboration with the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS – Komitee gegen den Vogelmord e.V.), which joined ground operations and bird protection camps in Lebanon in 2017.

The Eastern Mediterranean is one of the most important migration routes for millions of birds traveling between Europe, West Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa each spring and autumn. Due to its central location, Lebanon lies along this critical path, with the majority of migratory birds passing through its skies every year. Over 385 bird species have been recorded in Lebanon, many of which are threatened by declining populations or classified as species of international conservation concern.

For example, every remaining Lesser Spotted Eagle in the world migrates over Lebanon twice a year.

As in other Mediterranean regions, this twice-yearly migration has led to a long-standing tradition of bird hunting, using guns, traps, and nets. Alarmingly, even conservative estimates suggest that between 2 to 3 million migratory birds are killed annually in Lebanon. Many hunters lack awareness or respect for conservation laws, turning into illegal poachers. Targeted species include:

• Birds of prey (raptors)
• Storks and pelicans
• Nightjars and swallows
• Golden orioles and bee-eaters
• Countless songbirds

Beyond hunting for sport or personal consumption, industrial-scale bird trapping using massive nets and glue sticks is a major problem. Plucked and frozen songbirds, such as whinchats and blackcaps, are considered delicacies in Lebanon and are openly sold in supermarkets and restaurants despite the ban.

Other species caught include:

• Shrikes, robins, thrushes, flycatchers, and many more
• Goldfinches, which are sold alive in Lebanon’s booming cage bird market
• Live bird trapping is widespread in the Bekaa Valley and coastal villages in the south

Bird Protection Camps in Lebanon

CABS, which has a long history of organizing bird protection camps across Europe, first recognized the severity of Lebanon’s poaching crisis in 2013. Social media was flooded with photos of hunters proudly displaying dozens of illegally killed protected birds.

In response, CABS and SPNL took action, launching Lebanon’s first-ever bird protection camp in autumn 2017. This initiative coincided with the introduction of Hunting Law 580, Lebanon’s first regulation on wild bird hunting in decades.

During peak migration periods, international teams of bird experts and wildlife crime specialists collaborate with Lebanese conservationists and sustainable hunters. Their work includes:

• Conducting anti-poaching patrols
• Monitoring migration hotspots in the mountains
• Targeting “bottleneck” sites where mass bird killings occur

Illegal Wildlife Trade in Lebanon

Many birds are shot for food, while rare species like eagles and falcons are:

• Sold alive in markets (if they survive the gunshots)
• Stuffed and sold in shops as trophies

In 2021, after receiving a tip-off, a CABS team rescued three rare Egyptian vultures from a private collection in southern Lebanon.

• One was rehabilitated and released into the wild.
• Two injured vultures were sent to Prague Zoo to join a captive breeding program, with hopes that their offspring could one day be reintroduced into the wild.

Meanwhile, lowland areas like the Bekaa Valley and coastal regions are hotspots for illegal bird netting. Patrols document violations and report them to the Internal Security Forces (ISF).

Alongside law enforcement efforts, awareness-raising is key.

• CABS teams distribute educational materials to hunters.
• SPNL and MESHC host training workshops for police, hunters, and communities.
• Their goal is to promote responsible, sustainable hunting and highlight Lebanon’s incredible natural heritage, which is intertwined with global conservation efforts.

Targeting Birds of Prey Killings

At CABS bird protection camps, raptors and large birds like storks are top priorities. Because these species reproduce slowly and in low numbers, illegal hunting has a devastating impact on their populations.

Initially, CABS’ main focus was in Keserwan, Mount Lebanon, where teams discovered horrific “plucking sites”—areas littered with:

• Feathers, empty shotgun shells, and remains of hundreds of butchered birds of prey
• Raptors are killed for sport and for their breast meat

After years of surveillance and direct intervention, CABS teams caught dozens of poachers red-handed. Gradually, poaching in this hotspot declined. Today:

• Fewer raptors are being shot in Keserwan.
• More hunters are aware that targeting large birds is illegal.
• Collaboration between local conservationists and law enforcement has strengthened.

As a result, Lebanon’s first permanent Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) was established, led by:

• Adonis Khattib (SPNL)
• Sherine Bou Raffoul (CABS representative)

The APU has also built a growing network of law-abiding, sustainable hunters who:

• Report violations
• Help rescue and transport injured birds

Expanding Operations to Northern Lebanon

With poaching declining in Mount Lebanon, CABS teams expanded their focus to new danger zones—particularly in Akkar and Dinnieh in the north.

Major Poaching Issues in Northern Lebanon

1. Mass raptor killings in mountain passes during autumn
2. Intense nighttime shooting during peak migration
   • Hundreds of shooters line up on hills and cliffs.
   • They broadcast electronic bird calls at high volume.
   • They use spotlights and laser beams to dazzle birds, making them easy targets.
   • Thousands of birds are shot every night.

Disturbing Findings

CABS field teams recovered remains of:

• Nightjars and owls
• Lesser Spotted Eagles and Short-Toed Snake Eagles
• Kestrels, marsh harriers, orioles, bee-eaters, corncrakes, and songbirds

“Anything that flies gets shot.”

Winter Trapping: The “Illuminated Trees” Method

• During winter, some hunters use bright lights in fields and on buildings.
• The goal is to lure thrushes and other songbirds to their deaths.

Saving Storks in North Lebanon

Since spring 2022, CABS has organized camps to deter mass stork slaughters in bottleneck areas north of Tripoli.

As a result:

• CABS’ presence has increased.
• Poachers are more likely to face prosecution.
• Hunters now flee upon seeing CABS patrols, allowing safe migration for the birds.

Beyond the camps, the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU):

• Works with landowners, mayors, politicians, and police to strengthen conservation efforts.
• Conducts training workshops for police, hunters, and local communities.
• Promotes alternative activities to hunting, such as camping, archery, birdwatching, and nature crafts.

Encouragingly, Lebanese authorities are showing greater commitment to joint patrols, aiming to reduce illegal hunting during peak migration.

CABS’ work in Lebanon, alongside SPNL, MESHC, and local conservationists, is making a real difference. By combining law enforcement, education, and community engagement, they are protecting birds and preserving Lebanon’s natural heritage for future generations.

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