Between July 23 and August 23, 2025, the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) carried out a packed agenda of activities that combined awareness, field patrols, community engagement, and coordination with the army and security forces. The goal was clear: to safeguard birds and biodiversity in Lebanon through a comprehensive approach that engages children, youth, municipalities, academic institutions, and security authorities.
Awareness Begins with Children
On July 24, as part of the “Building a Healthy Nation” program at the Youth and Culture House in Zouk Mikael, the APU held a training session for children aged 9–13 on bird protection, biodiversity, and field monitoring. The session also included interactive activities such as archery and fukiya (blowpipe practice). A total of 17 children participated, highlighting the importance of instilling environmental values at an early age.
Field Patrols and Enforcement
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July 28: A patrol was dispatched to Choueifat following a complaint about illegal trapping of goldfinches. However, the suspected poacher had fled after being tipped off by local police.
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August 3: A morning patrol covered Harajil, Mairouba, Faqra, Ajaltoun, and Faytroun, followed by an awareness lecture for the Lebanese Relief Scouts in Harajil.
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August 8: A patrol in Tripoli investigated reports of owls being sold in shops, but no birds were found on display.
Academic and Civil Society Engagement
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On August 11, the APU met with Leila Moawad from the American University of Beirut (AUB) to discuss ideas for a cooperation agreement with the university on establishing an Anti-Poaching Academy.
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On August 17, the unit met with Dr. Hanna Khoury, President of OSAD in Deir El Ahmar, to explore opportunities for collaboration and support.
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Between August 18–21, the unit met with 12 individuals from Metn, Keserwan, Bekaa, and North Lebanon interested in volunteering. A training workshop will be organized for them prior to the upcoming APU camp.
Building Capacities
On July 30, the unit continued its capacity-building series with Mr. Adnan Maleki, focusing on project design, critical thinking, and planning skills for preparing financial project proposals. This training underscores the unit’s vision of pairing field enforcement with sustainable project management.
A Path Towards Safer Skies
The Anti-Poaching Unit’s activities this month reflect a holistic approach: immediate response through patrols and complaints follow-up, institutional partnerships with the Lebanese Army and municipalities, grassroots education for children and scouts, and academic cooperation to establish an Anti-Poaching Academy.
Together, these efforts strengthen SPNL’s mission of protecting migratory and resident birds while reviving Lebanon’s Hima heritage as a model for community-based conservation.
By combining awareness, enforcement, and institutional cooperation, the Anti-Poaching Unit is charting a new path to protect Lebanon’s birds and biodiversity.
