Within the framework of the EV NewLIFE project, and to combat illegal killing of birds (IKB) primarily, the anti-poaching unit (APU) of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) in collaboration with MESHC has continued its awareness sessions throughout Lebanon, and specifically within the “blackspots” located along the flyway. Such sessions target sustainable hunters and local authorities being municipal police and internal security forces (ISF) to better bridge the gap in terms of the new hunting laws being implemented in Lebanon. This session that was held on the 27^th of November, was attended by 25 individuals, out of which 4 were of local authorities and ISF members. Furthermore, due to the crisis that Lebanon is facing, the government did not open the hunting season for 2021-2022; therefor, these sessions are a needed tool to better provide the proper etiquette a hunter should partake and highlight potential alternatives such as birdwatching. SPNL will be having a session tailored specifically with ISF members in the upcoming month.

Fourteen partners from three different continents, are working hand in hand to ensure a safe passage along the African- Eurasian Flyway. Vultures, help to keep ecosystems healthy as they act as natural carcass recyclers, thus they are better known as nature’s cleanup crew, do the dirty work of cleaning up after death. They provide critically important ecosystem services and socio-economic benefits. Hence, reducing the need to incinerate thousands of tons of animal remains every year. However, Egyptian Vultures are still declining in some regions and are considered globally endangered. As Europe’s only long-distance migratory vulture, not only does it face threats in its breeding grounds, but also across its flyway from Europe to Africa. Egyptian Vultures, specifically have cultural ties dated back to thousands of years, within the Egyptian culture and Hieroglyphic letters.

It is noteworthy that the MESHC and SPNL, which is Birdlife Lebanon, are implementing a number of major projects aimed at conserving migratory birds, including the Egyptian Vulture New Life Project funded by the European Union, the Migratory Soaring Birds (MSB) funded by the Global Environment Forum (GEF),and the Safe Flyways for Bird Migration funded by the Swiss MAVA Foundation.