In a coordinated operation to combat illegal bird trapping, security forces removed bird extermination nets in the area between Mansoura and Gaza in the Western Bekaa region—an area increasingly targeted by poachers.
The action was triggered by a documented complaint submitted by sustainable hunters, highlighting the presence of illegal nets used for mass bird extermination. The complaint included evidence pinpointing the exact locations. Responding swiftly, the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) mobilized in coordination with the Jib Janine police station, leading to the successful removal of the violation by the Internal Security Forces.
While the identity of the perpetrators remains unknown, this operation underscores a critical message: net-based hunting remains one of the most destructive and non-selective poaching methods, threatening migratory bird populations and violating principles of ethical and sustainable hunting.
Lebanon continues to struggle with the widespread illegal trapping of songbirds, often destined for black market trade where they are sold as a local delicacy called “Tayan.” This operation is part of a larger national campaign aimed at curbing such destructive practices.
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.
