At the invitation of the Relief Scouts leadership – Mar Semaan Unit in Yahshoush, a special awareness session was held by the Anti-Poaching Unit to promote biodiversity conservation and responsible hunting practices.
The event focused on the critical role of responsible hunters and scouts in combatting illegal hunting, as well as the unique behaviors of birds and their importance in preserving natural ecosystems. The goal was to spread a culture of environmental responsibility and encourage all segments of society to take part in protecting nature.
🎯 Following the session, the participating scouts received hands-on training in archery, blending education with interactive engagement.
👥 The session welcomed over 35 participants, primarily youth aged 10 to 14 years.
Speakers Included:
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Adonis Khatib – President of the Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC) and Field Coordinator for Responsible Hunting at SPNL.
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Chirine Bou Rfoul – Head of the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) and Lebanon Office Director for the international organization CABS.
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Maroun Bou Rfoul – Field Investigator, Anti-Poaching Unit.
This initiative represents a model for inclusive environmental education and community-based conservation, empowering Lebanon’s youth to become stewards of biodiversity and advocates for responsible practices in nature.
The Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) affirms its commitment to working with the security forces to curb illegal hunting nationwide. Recent efforts have attracted significant media attention, with widespread coverage in regional newspapers and television stations. Last night, CABS Wildlife Crime Officer Shereen Bou Raffoul appeared on the LBCI evening news, highlighting the destructive impact of night shooting and large-scale bird trapping, and praising the increased enforcement efforts by Lebanon’s security agencies.
The APU, affiliated with the Middle East Center for Sustainable Hunting (MESHC) and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), implements the anti–illegal hunting project with the support of the Foundation Hans Wilsdorf, in cooperation with BirdLife International, and in partnership with CABS, and in coordination with the Internal Security Forces, the Information and Investigations Branch, and Army Intelligence.
