Thousands of Protected Birds Slaughtered in Lebanon for Social Media Clout

A shocking new study has revealed the staggering scale of illegal bird poaching in Lebanon, where social media has become a disturbing trophy wall for wildlife crime. Published in Oryx and reported by Mongabay’s Spoorthy Raman, the study analyzed over 1,800 images posted on Instagram and Facebook between 2011 and 2023, showing nearly 30,000 dead birds across 212 species—most of them protected by law.

Lebanon lies on the African-Eurasian flyway, one of the world’s busiest bird migration routes. Every year, millions of birds—including endangered species like the Egyptian vulture and steppe eagle—pass through the region. But many don’t make it. An estimated 2.6 million birds are shot annually in Lebanon alone, with large flocks sometimes wiped out entirely.

The study found that 94% of birds pictured were illegally hunted, yet poachers often posed proudly in their photos, unafraid of consequences. “It’s a macho thing,” said seabird biologist Andre Raine, one of the study’s authors, describing how hunters drape dead birds across vehicles for photoshoots. In many cases, the posts also showed illegal hunting practices, including minors with firearms, endangered mammals and reptiles killed, and birds sold or kept to live as trophies.

Ornithologist Michel Sawan, who patrols Lebanon’s forests daily to rescue injured birds, blames the carnage on weak enforcement. With fines as low as $5 and no dedicated environmental police, the risk of punishment is minimal. Meanwhile, social media companies have largely ignored requests to remove the content, fueling further violations.

Migratory birds already face enormous threats from habitat loss and climate change. Adding senseless slaughter for social media likes only worsens their chances.

If we want to protect birdlife, we can’t just look away. Speak up. Share this story. Choose compassion over cruelty. And always Support organizations fighting for wildlife—because silence is part of the problem.

Sign These Petitions! 

Please sign our latest and most urgent petitions to help the planet. Every signature counts!

• Petition: Urgently Demand Justice for 47 Animals Abused by Repeat Offender in Cape May!
• Petition: Argentina Must Act Now to Save Its Magellanic Penguins
• Petition: Justice for Cat Shot in Cyprus — Demand Urgent Action Now

Related Content:

• Starlings Hit Record Low in 2025 UK Birdwatch Survey
• 10 Ways Air Pollution Impacts Birds
• The Tradition of Bird Hunting in Malta and How You Can Help End the Brutality
• Bird Flu Outbreak Leads to Mass Killing of 50,000 Birds
• Bird Flu Reaches Antarctica Threatening Penguins and Seabirds

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Stand against fast fashion Pollution by supporting circular brands like Tiny Rescue, which create cause-based collections using recycled, zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade, ensuring it never ends up in a landfill.
• Shop Sustainably for Your Home: Visit SustaiNOBLE.org, an eco-friendly and ethically sourced home decor store that will empower your home with luxurious fair-trade, and sustainable products made by global artisans. 
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!