NGOs warn Lebanon skies a death trap for migratory birds

2.6 million birds from close to 200 species are killed annually by illegal hunters as they pass over the country on Israel’s northern border

By AFP 8 October 2019, 10:37 pm Edit
This Oct. 28, 2017 photo, shows hunters shooting at birds near the town of Brital, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. Lebanon lies on key migratory routes for several protected European species of birds that winter in the Persian Gulf and Africa. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)
This Oct. 28, 2017 photo, shows hunters shooting at birds near the town of Brital, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. Lebanon lies on key migratory routes for several protected European species of birds that winter in the Persian Gulf and Africa. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)

AGHBEH, Lebanon — Bird protection groups called Tuesday for urgent action to save endangered migratory species that are being wiped out by illegal hunters over Lebanon.

For the 41 species in Lebanon listed as particularly endangered, “the situation is really critical,” said Fouad Itani, president of the Association for Bird Conservation in Lebanon.

“If nothing is done, their numbers will continue to drop and some species will simply disappear,” he told AFP.

According to official figures, 2.6 million birds from close to 200 species were killed illegally in the country in 2014. Itani believes the numbers killed have risen since then.

Lebanon lies on one of the world’s most important migration routes and for many species — such as storks, lesser spotted eagles and pelicans — the most dangerous part of their journey is flying over the small Mediterranean country on Israel’s northern border.

Migrating Black Storks prepare to spend the night at a water reservoir before heading south at the Hula Lake in the Hula Valley (Photo by Kobi Gideon / FLASH90)
Migrating Black Storks prepare to spend the night at a water reservoir before heading south at the Hula Lake in the Hula Valley (Photo by Kobi Gideon / FLASH90)

“Hundreds of thousands of white storks are killed in Lebanon every year,” Itani said.

Bird protection groups have successfully raised awareness in some regions but the situation in the north remains “out of control”, according to a joint statement by the Association for Bird Conservation in Lebanon and the Committee Against Bird Slaughter, based in Germany.

The statement was released after a field visit organised for Lebanese and foreign officials Tuesday.

Itani said poachers in the north “are shooting for fun, big numbers. They shoot even at night, using spotlights… They have WhatsApp groups to track the birds together.”

A flock of migrating birds are silhouetted against a cloudy sky as they fly over the capital Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Countries such as Poland and others along migratory routes have pressured Lebanon to take action.

Killing of birds has been reduced in some areas this year through the awareness campaigns and in cooperation with authorities, the statement said, but improved bird protection laws have yet to be enforced by the security forces.

Most Popular
read more: