Massacred for TikTok likes: slaughter of 2.6M birds in Lebanon?

In Lebanon, illegal hunting of migratory birds has reached alarming levels, with an estimated 2.6 million birds killed annually, despite laws prohibiting such practices. The situation is exacerbated by a weak government, financial crises, and ongoing regional conflicts, which hinder enforcement of hunting regulations. Many poachers, often from local communities, justify their actions by claiming a cultural inheritance of hunting, but conservationists argue that this tradition is outdated and harmful. Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, have further fueled this issue, as hunters share videos of their kills for likes, leading to a disturbing trend of shooting birds "just for fun." The Lebanese Association of Migratory Birds reports that many carcasses are left to decay, causing prolonged suffering for the injured birds. The ecological impact is significant, as the loss of predatory birds disrupts local ecosystems, leading to increased pest populations and reliance on harmful pesticides. Conservationists are advocating for the designation of critical bird habitats as protected areas, but lack of funding and research hampers these efforts. The Polish ambassador to Lebanon emphasizes the global responsibility for bird conservation, highlighting the cultural significance of certain species in Poland. Activists like Michel Sawan, who transitioned from hunting to wildlife protection, face threats from poachers while working to rehabilitate injured birds. The ongoing challenges underscore the urgent need for effective conservation measures and community engagement to protect Lebanon's avian biodiversity.