New hunting law falls prey to old habits in Lebanon
Posted January 26, 2018 6:00 am
BRITAL, Lebanon (AP) - Lebanon lies on key migratory routes for several protected European species of birds that winter in the Persian Gulf and Africa. But even with a new law in place banning their hunting, conservationists say overhunting is undermining their efforts.
It also reflects Lebanon's "Wild West" approach to hunting, which the state has been unable to reign in.
To bird lovers, images posted recently on Lebanese social media are upsetting: great white pelicans soar overhead, then with a crack of rifle fire, tumble down into the shrubs below.
Axel Hirschfeld, of the Germany-based Committee Against Bird Slaughter, says "European birders have invested a lot of time, tax money, and other resources to protect the last remaining breeding pairs, and this is all for nothing if the birds don't fly back."
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. But even with a new law in place banning the hunting of protected species, Lebanese and European conservationists say overhunting in Lebanon is undermining their efforts. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)
The Associated Press
This Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 photo, shows a Lebanese hunter slaughters a bird near the town of Brital, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. Lebanon is on the migratory route for several protected European species of birds that winter in the Gulf and Africa, and conservation societies in Lebanon and Europe say the overhunting in Lebanon is undermining conservation strategies. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)
The Associated Press
This Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 photo, shows hunters waiting for birds to fly overhead as they hold their shotguns near the town of Brital, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. Lebanon is on the migratory route for several protected European species of birds that winter in the Gulf and Africa, and conservation societies in Lebanon and Europe say the overhunting in Lebanon is undermining conservation strategies. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)
The Associated Press
This Oct. 28, 2017 photo, shows a hunter looking for birds as he prepares to shoot 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. But even with a new law in place banning the hunting of protected species, Lebanese and European conservationists say overhunting in Lebanon is undermining their efforts. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)
The Associated Press
This Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017 photo, shows a hunter holding a dead Chaffinch in his hand, 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. But even with a new law in place banning the hunting of protected species, Lebanese and European conservationists say overhunting in Lebanon is undermining their efforts. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)
The Associated Press
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. But even with a new law in place banning the hunting of protected species, Lebanese and European conservationists say overhunting in Lebanon is undermining their efforts. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)
The Associated Press
This Oct. 28, 2017 photo, shows a hunter 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. But even with a new law in place banning the hunting of protected species, Lebanese and European conservationists say overhunting in Lebanon is undermining their efforts. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)
The Associated Press
This Oct. 28, 2017 photo, shows a hunter holding a wounded Calandra Lark 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. But even with a new law in place banning the hunting of protected species, Lebanese and European conservationists say overhunting in Lebanon is undermining their efforts. (AP Photo/Philip Issa)
The Associated Press
This Dec. 5, 2017 photo, shows Roger Saad, an activist with the Lebanese Bird Conservation Coalition, during an interview with The Associated Press, in Beirut, Lebanon. Lebanon lies on key migratory routes for several protected European species of birds that winter in the Persian Gulf and Africa. But even with a new law in place banning the hunting of protected species, Lebanese and European conservationists say overhunting in Lebanon is undermining their efforts. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein)
The Associated Press
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