A new international report reveals that Lebanon remains significantly off track in its commitment to reduce illegal bird killing (IKB) by 2030, despite previous promises and some steps taken toward conservation. Titled “The Killing 3.0: Progress on Eradicating Illegal Killing of Birds in the Mediterranean and Europe”, the study by BirdLife International and EuroNatur highlights Lebanon as one of the countries with persistent high levels of illegal bird killing.
With an estimated 2.6 million birds illegally killed each year, Lebanon is classified in the highest severity category (Class I) for IKB. The situation has shown no significant improvement since 2015, either in the long or short term.
While Lebanon made early efforts through the establishment of a national committee in 2017 and endorsement of a five-year action plan spearheaded by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), this committee is no longer active, and no updated official data has been submitted since 2018. The report cites the impact of Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis and fuel shortages, which have increased reliance on cheap, illegal hunting methods such as mist nets and glue traps, while also limiting the mobility of enforcement patrols.
Still, there are glimmers of progress. The Environment Minister has withheld the opening of the hunting season for three consecutive years. SPNL continues to play a key role in awareness campaigns and community engagement, emphasizing the role of ethical hunting and alternatives to bird trapping.
Recommendations for Lebanon include:
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Training law enforcement to identify bird species and handle wildlife crime cases;
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Revitalizing inter-agency cooperation among the Ministries of Environment, Interior, and Customs;
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Supporting alternative livelihoods and hobbies in rural areas;
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Boosting environmental education and public awareness.
The report sends a clear message: unless urgent, coordinated action is taken, Lebanon risks further damage to its bird populations and international reputation. Conservation stakeholders are calling on Lebanese authorities to reactivate the national IKB committee and recommit to their international pledges under the Bern Convention and CMS Rome Strategic Plan.
Bird populations have plummeted at shocking rates in recent decades. Overexploitation, including IKB, is a leading driver of global bird extinctions, second only to habitat loss.[1] Every year, millions of birds are illegally shot, trapped, or poisoned across Europe and the Mediterranean, undermining conservation efforts along the flyway. [2]
Recognising the scale of this crisis, governments pledged coordinated action under the Bern Convention and the Convention on Migratory Species’ (CMS) Rome Strategic Plan 2020–2030. With just five years left to reach the goal of the Rome Strategic Plan to halve IKB by 2030, progress is severely lagging. Urgent action is needed, or devastating losses to bird populations will be inevitable, some species could even be wiped out forever.
- European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur): Currently listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, tens of thousands are illegally shot each spring on the Ionian Islands in western Greece.
- Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus): Classified as ‘Endangered’, the Balkan breeding population is under severe threat from poisoning, often linked to the illegal use of poisoned bait targeting other wildlife.
- European Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis): Although still listed as ‘Least Concern’, this once-common songbird is declining in many regions. It is widely trapped across North Africa and the Mediterranean for the illegal cage bird trade.
‘The Killing 3.0’ assessed 46 countries, with a deep dive into 22 Mediterranean nations where illegal killing is particularly rampant. The findings are sobering: 38 countries are not on track to meet their 2030 commitments, profit appearing to be the biggest driver of IKB. In many of the worst-affected countries, responsible for around 90% of illegal killings, little to no progress has been made – and in some cases, the situation has worsened. [3]
Dr. Barend van Gemerden, Global Flyways Programme Coordinator at BirdLife International: “The illegal killing of birds is not just a crime, it’s a tragedy that continues to threaten birds across entire migratory routes. High levels of illegal killing in one country can wipe out conservation successes in another. We urgently need stronger, coordinated, cross-border action across the full flyway. Reaching the 2030 goal is a tough challenge, but not an impossible one.”
Yet, there is cause for hope. Places like Spain and the Sovereign Base Areas of Cyprus, show that real progress is possible with strong political will, coordinated planning, and proper resourcing. [4]
As governments meet this week to review their commitments, The Killing 3.0 sends a clear message: the time for promises is over. Without urgent action, millions more birds will pay the price.
You can download the full report (including national annexes for the Mediterranean countries) and the Executive Summary here:
