Lebanon lies along key migratory routes for millions of European birds, including protected and endangered species, that winter in the Persian Gulf and Africa. But even with a new law in place banning the hunting of protected species, conservationists say overhunting in Lebanon is undermining their efforts. Conservationists credit Lebanese Environment Minister Tarek Khatib for bringing into force a 2004 hunting law that, they say, is as strict as any in Europe. For many Lebanese, hunting is a tradition passed down from father to son and an autumn ritual for men to pass weekend nights with friends before hunting at dawn. An amateur sleuth, he has reported more than 70 cases to the Environment Ministry, including data on alleged violators.

Source: Egypt Independent January 26, 2018 06:33 UTC