The Anti-Poaching Unit in collaboration with the Girl Guides of the St. Anthony the Great Troop – Maronite Scout Association, organized an awareness and training event in the municipality of Sehaileh, located in the Keserwan District of the Mount Lebanon Governorate. The event saw the participation of approximately 25 scout guides.
Held at the troop’s headquarters in Sehaileh, the activity focused on the importance of wild bird conservation and the Anti-Poaching Unit’s role in biodiversity protection. Participants were introduced to field monitoring techniques and took part in practical training sessions in archery and blowgun (fukiya) shooting.
Lectures and training were delivered by:
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Mr. Adonis Khoury, Head of the Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC) and Field Coordinator for Responsible Hunting at SPNL.
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Ms. Joslin Bou Rached Boustani, Secretary of MESHC and Editor-in-Chief of Sayd Magazine.
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Mr. Maroun Bou Rfoul, Field Investigator with the APU and member of the international organization CABS in Lebanon.
The session was distinguished by a high level of positive interaction and constructive competition, with the guides demonstrating exceptional accuracy in the shooting exercises.
At the close of the event, Miss Lea Clara Hashash, Leader of the Girl Guides, presented the official scout neckerchief to Mr. Adonis Khoury as a token of appreciation for the center’s commitment to education and environmental training.
This event forms part of ongoing initiatives aimed at instilling environmental awareness in the younger generation and encouraging responsible behavior toward nature.
About the Anti-Poaching Unit
The Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) was established by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), in partnership with the international Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and the Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC).
The unit plays a vital role in monitoring and curbing illegal activities that endanger birds and wildlife in Lebanon. Through a network of trained field teams, the APU conducts awareness campaigns, patrols hunting areas, and coordinates with relevant authorities to enforce environmental protection laws. These efforts contribute significantly to the preservation of endangered species and the sustainability of Lebanon’s ecosystems.
Backed by over 40 committed volunteers and environmental activists, the APU implements a wide range of initiatives to combat poaching and promote responsible hunting. Its success is further supported by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, the EU-funded BioConnect Project, and strategic cooperation with BirdLife International.
The APU operates as part of a national alliance that includes the Internal Security Forces, the Lebanese Army (under the Ministry of Defense), forest rangers from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Environment, municipal federations, local councils, and municipal police. This collaboration strengthens law enforcement and helps ensure the protection of Lebanon’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage.
