Strong move by Lebanese minister asking for prosecution of poachers

In a rare and strong move, the Lebanese Minister of Environment, H.E. Mohammad Machnouk, handed a letter to the Environment Attorney General of Mount Lebanon, judge Claude Ghanem, asking for the prosecution of 3 hunters that violated the law No. 580/2004.

The minister took the matters in hand when he was made aware of pictures of the 3 suspects posing with dead pelicans and white storks in the outskirt of the BentaĆ«l protected area. Since the Ministry of Environment did not officially open the hunting season and in accordance with the law in force, hunting is still prohibited in the country. Furthermore, the species hunted are protected under Lebanese laws and it is forbidden to display dead preys on cars and on public roads. Therefore, the minister is demanding for ā€œall legal measures deemed appropriateā€ to be taken.

The poachers risk up to one month of imprisonment and a fine equivalent to five hundred thousand Lebanese Pounds as well as the withdraw of their hunting license for a period of one to three years.

This latest positive development in the current chaotic hunting situation hopefully reflects a stronger desire from the Lebanese government to finally decrease the hunting chaos and capitalize on all the efforts deployed by the MSB project team in Lebanon and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL – BirdLife Lebanon).

Source:Ā http://migratorysoaringbirds.undp.birdlife.org/

Al Hima Magazine 6th Issue

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL) has released the sixth issue of Al Hima magazine, focusing on the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi (October 8–15, 2025), where SPNL will join four key sessions. The issue features an exclusive interview with IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak, who emphasizes aligning IUCN’s work with global biodiversity agendas, governance, member responsiveness, multilateral engagement, ethical use of technology, and amplifying diverse voices.

Read Previous issues

spot_img
spot_img

More like this

Major Bird Trapping Operation in Halba, North Lebanon Shut...

Today, we delivered a significant blow to illegal wildlife crime during the peak autumn migration season šŸ‚....

HUGE Bird Trapping Operation in Barja, Mount Lebanon Shut...

On Thursday, we delivered a massive blow to illegal wildlife crime during the peak autumn migration season....

Anti-Poaching Patrols Uncover Shocking Raptor Slaughter

Over a period of three days, patrols from the Joint Operations Team of the Anti-Poaching Unit conducted...