Nestled within the rugged landscapes of Mount Lebanon, the Mount Lebanon Hima Center stands as a beacon of hope for migratory birds and wildlife. Managed under the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL), the center is a sanctuary dedicated to bird and wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation. Among its most ambitious projects is the rehabilitation of the Common Crane, a species that once soared freely over Lebanon’s skies but now faces mounting threats.
A Mission to Save Lebanon’s Wildlife
At the heart of this mission are dedicated conservationists, including Zaher Aridi, Chadi Sadd, Adonis Khatib, Shirine Bou Raffoul, Wassim Khatib, Maher Osta, Louis Junior Saad, Rami Kadro, Andre Bechara, Andre Salemeh, Jalal Fatfat, Mahmoud Danaf, Gaby Nader
Maroun Bou Raffoul, Tony Hasbani, Akel Bou Raffoul, Zafer Nakhlawi, Khairallah Fatfat, Eli Shalita, Mazen Yassin, Rhea Halawi, Majed Danaf, Joelle Salemeh, Marwan Lahoud, Jaafar Krayim, Samar Roufael, Mandi Habshi, Rabab Shamesdine, Rita Hadad, Zeina Hetti, Celin Faytrouni, Jamil Almays, Khalid Yaghi, Mousa Habshi, Charbel Saadeh, Khaled Kurdi, Emil Bustani, Joseline Bustani, Kozhaya Bou Raffoul, Didier Zaani, and others leading the efforts to rescue and rehabilitate injured birds, particularly the Common Crane (Grus grus). This magnificent migratory bird, recognized by its long legs, graceful flight, and echoing calls, travels thousands of kilometers between Europe and Africa, often stopping in Lebanon during its journey. However, illegal hunting, habitat destruction, and human disturbances have put these birds at risk, making their survival increasingly difficult.
The Mount Lebanon Hima Center, in partnership with local and international conservation organizations such as BirdLife International, the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS), and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), has taken on the challenge of protecting these birds and ensuring their safe passage through Lebanon.
Rescue and Rehabilitation: A Second Chance for the Common Crane
SPNL team at the Hima Center operate with a clear goal: to rescue injured and exhausted migratory birds, nurse them back to health, and release them into the wild. Their work often begins with distress calls from local residents or volunteers who report injured birds—many of which have been shot, trapped, or harmed by environmental hazards.
One of the most memorable cases involved a Common Crane found injured near the Bekaa Valley, its wings partially damaged from shotgun pellets. The bird was weak, unable to continue its journey, and risked becoming another casualty of illegal hunting. With careful intervention, the rescue team transported the crane to the rehabilitation facility at Mount Lebanon Hima Center, where it received medical treatment, nutritional support, and monitored rehabilitation.
“Seeing an injured bird regain its strength and take flight again is a feeling beyond words,” said Zaher Aridi, reflecting on the release of a rehabilitated crane. “It’s a reminder that every effort we make, no matter how small, has the power to restore nature’s balance.”
A Future Where Lebanon’s Skies Are Safe Again
The Mount Lebanon Hima Center is not only a rescue and rehabilitation hub but also a center for education and awareness. Through community outreach, school programs, and collaboration with local hunters to promote ethical practices, SPNL and its partners aim to shift mindsets from exploitation to conservation.
As Lebanon continues to face environmental challenges, the work of the Mount Lebanon Hima Center serves as a testament to the power of conservation. By restoring the Common Crane and protecting countless other species, they are ensuring that the country’s skies remain filled with the wings of migratory birds for generations to come.
📢 Join the movement! Support conservation efforts and be a voice for Lebanon’s wildlife.
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