During bird migration seasons, CABS international teams—consisting of bird experts and wildlife crime specialists—join forces with SPNL, MESHC, and their sustainable hunting partners in Lebanon to conduct anti-poaching patrols and monitor key migration corridors in mountainous areas.
By Adonis Khatib, head of the Middle East Center for Sustainable Flight for Survival Hunting (MESHC) and field coordinator for responsible hunting at SPNL
Turning ideas and dreams into reality requires three essential elements:
âś… A clear vision
âś… Unwavering persistence
âś… The right partnerships with like-minded individuals
For Adonis Al-Khatib, these principles have guided his journey from a hunting advocate and journalist to a leader in sustainable hunting and wildlife conservation.
A Mission Rooted in Responsible Hunting
In 2009, Al-Khatib founded Sayd Magazine, a printed publication dedicated to promoting sustainable hunting. His goal was clear:
✔️ Defend ethical hunters
✔️ Raise awareness about conservation
✔️ Combat illegal poaching
“Hunting is not just about shooting animals,” says Al-Khatib.
“The true hunter is a friend of nature, a partner in conservation, and an ally of the land and farmers.”
To promote responsible hunting, Al-Khatib conducted numerous interviews with prominent figures in Lebanon and the Arab world—both men and women—showcasing their experiences and commitment to ethical hunting practices.
But a chance encounter would take his advocacy to the next level.
A Game-Changing Meeting: Partnering with Assad Serhal
During an interview with Antonio Salameh, Secretary of the Lebanese Hunters Association, Al-Khatib was introduced to Assad Serhal, Director General of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL).
Serhal, once a hunter himself, had transitioned into a leading conservationist and became BirdLife International’s representative in Lebanon.
Al-Khatib and Serhal met at an international hunting conference in Beirut, where SPNL, international organizations, and government agencies gathered to discuss hunting regulations.
After reviewing Sayd Magazine, Serhal invited Al-Khatib to present his work to the conference attendees.
The reception was overwhelmingly positive.
Shortly after, the two men sat down to discuss how responsible hunters could play a role in conservation efforts.
That conversation sparked a movement.
Expanding the Mission: A Nationwide Effort
With SPNL’s support, Al-Khatib led a nationwide survey of Lebanon’s hunting sector, covering:
✔️ Hunting regions
✔️ Game species
✔️ Hunting equipment stores and manufacturers
Because Sayd Magazine had credibility among hunters, the community actively participated, providing data that would later be used to shape conservation policies.
By late 2010, Al-Khatib officially joined SPNL’s Responsible Hunting Program, expanding efforts to educate and train hunters across Lebanon.
Key initiatives included:
- “Tallu El Sayyadeh” training sessions for hunters.
- Workshops for law enforcement on hunting regulations.
- Training shooting clubs on official hunting exams (in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and UNDP).
- An online quiz, “Are You a Hunter? Test Yourself!”
- Designed to simulate official hunting exams.
- Participants who passed received an electronic “Hunter” certificate.
- Those who failed were labeled “Quwas” (reckless shooter)—a wake-up call for unethical hunters.
The results were eye-opening. For the first time, many hunters realized that their practices needed improvement—and they were eager to change.
The Birth of the Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC)
To ensure the long-term success of these efforts, Assad Serhal and Adonis Al-Khatib established the Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC) in 2015.
MESHC quickly became a trusted hub for responsible hunters, offering:
✔️ Awareness programs
✔️ Training on hunting laws and ethics
✔️ Workshops on wildlife conservation
For ethical hunters, MESHC was a revelation. It validated their commitment to sustainability while challenging outdated, harmful hunting traditions.
To make complex ideas accessible, Al-Khatib developed a powerful set of contrasts:
đź“Ś Hunter vs. Reckless Shooter
đź“Ś Sustainable Hunting vs. Poaching
đź“Ś Game Species vs. Protected Birds
This simple but effective messaging resonated deeply within the hunting community, shifting attitudes toward wildlife protection.
Creative Initiatives That Redefined Hunting Culture
MESHC didn’t just talk about conservation—it actively engaged hunters through innovative projects.
📸 “The Asaad Adel Serhal Wildlife Photography Contest”
- Encouraged hunters to “shoot with a camera, not a gun.”
- Springtime photography-only challenge to protect breeding birds.
- Became an annual competition among hunters, with top winners receiving awards and recognition.
đźš— “We Are the Safe Passage” Convoys
- Fall migration: Hunters participated in convoys along migration routes, wearing hunting gear but carrying cameras instead of guns—a bold statement about their commitment to conservation.
- Spring breeding season: Hunters traveled with their families to emphasize protecting bird reproduction cycles.
- Children drew and colored birds, creating a visual message of love for wildlife.
đź“– Raising Awareness in Schools & Communities
- MESHC launched educational campaigns in schools, universities, and businesses, helping non-hunters understand the importance of conservation.
- Distributed brochures to hunters and security forces during the Flight for Survival campaign, urging them to protect migrating storks.
Fighting Illegal Hunting: The Anti-Poaching Unit (APU)
When Lebanon reopened hunting seasons in 2017 (after a 20-year ban), poaching escalated dramatically.
đź“Ś Lebanon is the world’s second-most important migration corridor for birds.
đź“Ś It ranks third globally for illegal bird killings (after Egypt & Malta).
To combat this crisis, MESHC and SPNL established the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU)—a first-of-its-kind initiative allowing hunters to take responsibility for protecting wildlife.
The APU’s mission:
✔️ Monitor and report illegal hunting
✔️ Dismantle illegal trapping networks (nets, glue traps, night hunting)
✔️ Rescue and rehabilitate injured birds
As illegal hunting tactics became more sophisticated, the APU adapted:
- Created a wildlife first-aid team to rescue and treat injured birds.
- Trained with top veterinarians (Dr. Abdo Classi and Dr. Didier Zaani).
- Rescued six Egyptian vultures—a critically endangered species.
Today, the APU is led by Sherine Bou Raffoul, who also serves as Lebanon’s director for CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter).
The unit has successfully:
- Documented hundreds of poaching violations.
- Coordinated arrests with security forces.
- Shut down illegal bird markets and trapping operations.
Even politicians and religious leaders have signed pledges to support the APU, recognizing that protecting birds means protecting Lebanon’s biodiversity.
A Movement That Changed Hunters’ Perceptions
Thanks to the APU’s relentless efforts, a remarkable shift is occurring:
- More hunters are choosing cameras over guns.
- Social media is flooded with conservation posts from the hunting community.
- Ethical hunters are exposing poachers, recognizing that reckless shooters tarnish their reputation.
To take this movement further, Al-Khatib and Bou Raffoul underwent specialized training in Spain to investigate wildlife crimes—bringing new expertise back to Lebanon.
And the work continues.
With international partnerships, training programs, and growing support, the fight against illegal hunting is stronger than ever.
Because sustainable hunters aren’t just protecting birds—they’re protecting the future of Lebanon’s natural heritage.
Objectives of the Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC)
🔹 Training Hunters as Conservation Partners – Equip hunters with the knowledge and skills to become active participants in nature conservation.
🔹 Utilizing Hunters for Field Research – Leverage hunters’ field presence to conduct wildlife and ecological studies.
🔹 Educating Farmers & Shepherds – Raise awareness among farmers and pastoralists about sustainable land-use practices.
🔹 Environmental Awareness in Schools & Universities – Promote conservation education in schools, universities, and scouting groups.
🔹 Empowering Women in Conservation – Engage women in Hima (protected) areas, enabling them to guide the next generation toward a greener, safer future.
🔹 Establishing Monitored Responsible Hunting Zones – Work with partners to create regulated hunting areas that can be effectively managed to protect bird populations.
🔹 Combating Illegal Hunting – Strengthen anti-poaching efforts through the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU).
🔹 Creating an Anti-Poaching Academy – Develop a specialized academy to train individuals in poaching prevention and wildlife protection.
By integrating education, enforcement, and sustainable practices, MESHC is shaping a future where hunters are stewards of nature.
We hope you enjoy reading the Magazine
Al-Hima-Magazine-Issue-No.-4
