Libanon – 19. 06. 2026

Lebanon: Endangered Species as Pets

19.06.2026

In Lebanon, a team from the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and our partners at MECSHAP Anti-Poaching Unit discovered strictly protected birds during an inspection of pet shops in the town of Baalbeck. In addition to four black headed bunting, the trader was also selling two Syrian serins – an endemic species that breeds in a tiny range in the mountains along the Syrian - Lebanese border and in Jordan. The global population of this small finch is estimated at 4,000 individuals, making it highly sought-after by animal collectors.

Due to the extremely tense security situation in the Baalbeck region, it was not possible to inform the police. The trader handed over the birds after we had explained the legal situation to him – they were released unharmed near Deir El Ahmar in the Bekaa Valley.

Find out more about our campaigns in Lebanon here.