A significant step towards enhanced bird conservation and enforcement of hunting laws in Lebanon was taken on Wednesday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL). The signing ceremony was held at the Mount Lebanon Hima Center in Kayfoun.
The MoU formalizes cooperation between the two organizations to protect migratory birds, combat illegal hunting practices, and promote sustainable and responsible hunting in Lebanon under the Anti-poaching Unit (APU). The agreement will be effective from January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2026, with the potential for renewal upon mutual consent.
Board member Mr. Axel Hirschfeld represented CABS, headquartered in Bonn, Germany, while Mr. Assad Serhal, Director General, signed on behalf of SPNL, a pioneering Lebanese NGO in nature protection and the revival of the Hima approach to sustainable natural resource management.
Under this MoU, the two parties have committed to:
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Organizing joint patrolling missions to monitor hunting violations during bird migration seasons.
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Documenting and disseminating data on illegal hunting trends.
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Conducting awareness sessions with schools, youth, municipalities, and hunting groups.
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Building partnerships with Internal Security Forces and governmental bodies to ensure enforcement and prosecution of hunting law violations.
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Promoting responsible hunting practices and alternative activities to illegal bird killing.
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Coordinating on media outreach and fundraising efforts to support shared conservation objectives.
The collaboration is part of a broader effort to mainstream the protection of migratory soaring birds (MSBs) in Lebanon’s hunting sector and increase public awareness of biodiversity conservation.
“This partnership is built on shared values and a unified mission to protect Lebanon’s rich birdlife and natural heritage,” said Assad Serhal. “By joining forces with CABS, we aim to reinforce law enforcement and raise awareness on the importance of sustainable practices.”
Mr. Axel Hirschfeld added: “CABS is proud to support SPNL’s efforts in Lebanon. Together, we are creating a model for international cooperation in bird conservation.”
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 aims to monitor and prevent illegal practices that threaten birds and wildlife in Lebanon. With trained field teams, the unit conducts awareness campaigns, monitors hunting areas, and coordinates with authorities to enforce environmental laws, contributing to the protection of endangered species and the sustainability of ecosystems.
Supported by more than 40 volunteers and environmental activists, the unit carries out multiple initiatives to combat poaching. Its success is bolstered by generous support from the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, the EU-funded BioConnect Project, and its partnership with BirdLife International.
The unit operates within a national environmental alliance involving 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. Together, they work to promote sustainable hunting practices, enforce wildlife protection laws, and safeguard Lebanon’s rich biodiversity.
