In a sobering reminder of the ongoing threats facing migratory birds in Lebanon, a Czech-ringed white stork (Ciconia ciconia) was found severely injured near the northern city of Tripoli—an area notorious for illegal bird shootings during spring migration. The incident underscores the urgent need for stronger enforcement of wildlife protection laws.
The injured stork was rescued by a team from the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU). The bird was discovered after concerned citizens reported it to local authorities. A veterinary assessment confirmed that the stork had been shot. Due to the severity of its injuries and its inability to fly, it had to be euthanized.
The stork was wearing a metal ring issued in the Czech Republic (number YK026) and had been tagged on May 28, 2022 in Bor u Tachov, Bohemia. Disturbingly, this is not an isolated case. Just days earlier, a German-tagged stork named Håljer, fitted with a GPS transmitter and ringed on July 8, 2021 in Köckte/Drömling, also went missing in the Northern Lebanon Mountains. Despite precise coordinates, the team was unable to retrieve the bird—strongly suggesting it too fell victim to poaching.
During the current bird protection camp organized by SPNL and its partners, more than 30 dead storks have already been discovered in the region.
About the Anti-Poaching Unit
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) established the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) in partnership with the international Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and the Middle East Sustainable Hunting Center (MESHC).
The unit works to monitor and prevent illegal activities that endanger birds and wildlife in Lebanon. With trained field teams, it carries out awareness campaigns, monitors hunting zones, and coordinates with official bodies to enforce environmental legislation—contributing to the conservation of endangered species and the long-term health of ecosystems.
With support from over 40 volunteers and environmental advocates, the APU implements numerous initiatives against poaching. Its effectiveness is amplified through generous backing from the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, the EU-funded BioConnect Project, and its collaboration with BirdLife International.
The unit functions within a national environmental coalition, collaborating with 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. United, they aim to promote sustainable hunting, enforce wildlife protection laws, and preserve Lebanon’s ecological diversity.
