On a warm spring morning, Hamada Malaeb, Director of the “Hima Trails” project at the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), set out on an exploratory mission to the hills of Bchamoun in Mount Lebanon. There, the seeds of a new Hima were taking root—promising to protect what remains of a fragile biodiversity that refuses to fade.
The sky was clear, the air filled with the scent of wild blossoms, and golden sunlight weaving patterns on the ground. Along his path, Malaeb passed through organic and sustainably-managed farms, part of the broader Hima system that respects the land and restores balance between humans and nature.
But what made this journey truly memorable was his encounter with a remarkable little creature.
Among the bushes and scattered rocks, Malaeb noticed a subtle rustling. He paused—and there it was: a wild hedgehog, or quba’a (scientific name: Erinaceinae), taking its first cautious steps after a long winter’s sleep. These small mammals awaken in spring, resuming their nocturnal wanderings in search of food. Their diet includes insects, worms, reptiles, small rodents, bird eggs, and even plants and fruits.
This hedgehog’s body was covered in sharp spines—known locally as “hassak”—which serve as a natural armor. Its head appeared neckless, with small ears, a narrow mouth, and short legs. As it sensed Malaeb’s presence, it instinctively curled into a tight, spiny ball for protection.
Malaeb smiled at the scene, crouched down gently, and reached into his bag. He pulled out a few pods of fresh green fava beans picked earlier from a nearby Hima farm. Offering them slowly, he watched as the hedgehog, after a brief moment of stillness, approached and nibbled gratefully before disappearing again into the grass, as if it knew exactly where it was going.
Hedgehogs, especially the quba’a, are known for their astonishing ability to defend themselves against snakes and vipers. When threatened, they curl up tightly and attack the tail of the snake with their hidden jaws—every movement the snake makes only injures it further.
This encounter revealed just how magical Hima Bchamoun truly is: a genuine refuge for songbirds, mammals, and wild flora. More than a green space, it is a living story told through trees, raptors, and hedgehogs.
Malaeb returned from his journey carrying renewed conviction that the Hima project is more than an environmental tool—it’s a path to rebuild our relationship with the wild creatures that share our world.
In Bchamoun, the story begins… and nature keeps whispering to those who listen.
