A three-day workshop under the AFD-funded ProZHUM project highlighted the importance of regional cooperation, standardized monitoring, and reliable data for bird conservation.
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) participated in a workshop on the Illegal Killing of Birds (IKB), held in Tunisia from 16 to 18 October 2026 under the ProZHUM project, funded by the French Development Agency (AFD).
The workshop brought together partners and stakeholders working to combat the illegal killing of birds. Through discussions and field activities, participants exchanged experiences, examined ongoing initiatives, and explored ways to strengthen regional collaboration.
Sharing Experiences Across Countries
The first day focused on partners’ experiences in their respective countries, including the challenges they face and the approaches they use to address illegal bird killing.
These exchanges offered an opportunity to learn from existing practices, identify shared challenges, and explore how closer coordination could strengthen collective conservation efforts.
Building a Shared Foundation for Reliable Data
On the second day, participants discussed the IKB Protocol and approaches to support its implementation. SPNL emphasized the importance of establishing a standardized database that partners could use to collect, organize, and share information consistently.
Participants agreed that harmonizing data collection would support more effective analysis, improve reporting, and help identify trends and priority areas for action. A shared approach to monitoring would provide a stronger basis for targeted, evidence-based strategies to prevent and combat the illegal killing of birds.
Connecting Workshop Discussions with Field Monitoring
The third day included a field visit to two sites in Tunisia, where participants observed bird species, conducted bird counts, and gained practical experience in field monitoring.
The visit connected the workshop’s discussions with conservation activities on the ground, reinforcing the importance of reliable field data in understanding bird populations and informing protection efforts.
Bringing Lessons Back to Lebanon
SPNL’s participation reinforced the value of collaboration, standardized monitoring protocols, and consistent data collection in addressing the illegal killing of birds.
The knowledge and experiences gained will inform SPNL’s ongoing conservation work in Lebanon through the Hima approach, helping connect local conservation efforts with regional cooperation to protect birds and their habitats.
