Poachers’ social media posts reveal the surprising extent of illegal wildlife hunting in Lebanon

Public posts on social media platforms shed light on the scope and nature of Orix’s research published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora, Lebanon’s prolific illegal wildlife hunting.

This study was the first to use social media as a tool to assess illegal hunting activities in Lebanon. The country is more wider with the Mediterranean region, and is a global poaching black spot, particularly for the illegal killing of protected birds.

Researchers analyzed photos posted on social media platforms to assess species of birds targeting Lebanon. From 2011 to 2023, they reviewed 1,844 photos published by poachers on Facebook and Instagram.

In these images showing dead birds and other wildlife, the team identified 212 species of birds, of which 94% are legally protected. Many are conservation concerns, with 19 people listed as being threatened or threatened on the IUCN Red List, 33% experiencing a decline in population in Europe.

Research and Conservation of Andre F. Rain Archipelago, lead author of the research paper, Andre F. Rain, Kauai, Hanapu Rhine, Kauai, “Illegal hunting of migratory birds across the Mediterranean region is serious international conservation. The problem is: spotted Eagle and the Sparrow Hawk of the Levant pass through Lebanon while the population of almost the entire world is migrating.

“The relentless killing of many of these birds, as well as other species already on the IUCN Red List, clearly have a serious impact on long-term population trajectories.

“The scale of illegal hunting in Lebanon is at a level rarely seen across migratory bird flyways. Furthermore, hunters posed with numerous illegally shot species on social media pages open to the public. The fact that they are happy to take on the subject emphasizes their current sense: immunity, and itself may further drive ramp-stretching poaching across the country.”

Social Media’s Attraction towards Illegal Wildlife Hunters

Researchers observed that Lebanese poachers were indifferent to posting images and videos of illegal hunting on public social media platforms and groups.

“Ensuring social media users can continue to post images of murdered protected species will result in a rewarding cycle of illegal activities,” said Lloyd Scott, a co-author of the German Bon Bird Massacre. Born. The rarest species or most corpses thereby perpetuate the problem.

“Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok need to be more proactive and proactive in screening and regulating posts about wildlife crime.”

Researchers have reported multiple posts viewed during analysis via appropriate reporting channels, but despite these posts violating meta sanctions for graphic violence and animal cruelty, certain posts He pointed out that he hadn’t seen that the action had not been taken yet.

How social media can help you solve problems

Researchers argue that social media may encourage certain aspects of poachers’ criminal behavior, but it could also improve the situation.

Previous research highlights how social media benefits wildlife conservation. These include increased public promotional protection actions, increased conservation funds, and incitement of policy changes.

In the case of illegal hunting, photos published by hunters on social media can motivate international discourse, environmental campaigns and diplomacy that address the issue of bird poaching. For example, images of numerous hunted white storks have promoted Polish campaigns to reduce illegal bird killings in Lebanon.

Lebanese groups such as the Middle East’s Sustainable Hunting Centres use social media to promote legal hunting, praise hunters for adhering to Lebanese hunting laws, and use platforms to educate hunters We suggest that you encourage and propose to participate in workshops. An alternative to hunting in photographs and other places.

Similarly, several bird conservation groups, such as the Lebanese Nature Conservation Association and the Lebanese Bird Conservation Association, regularly use social media posts to encourage the general population to monitor and visit birds, and to preserve birds. We encourage them to provide education on issues.