In the town of Zgharta in northern Lebanon, the LAMB – Birds of Lebanon Association, led by Michel Sawwan, is dedicated to rescuing injured wild and migratory birds, often victims of excessive hunting and ongoing violations against wildlife. The association was founded in 2010, following years of individual efforts, in response to the increasing number of injured birds and the inability to care for them individually.
The association welcomes various types of birds, particularly birds of prey and storks. It provides them with first aid through isolation, treatment of wounds or fractures, with the aim of rehabilitating and releasing them back into the wild—or placing them in the association’s aviaries if they suffer from permanent disabilities.
Despite the limited number of volunteers and the shortage of medical equipment and specialized veterinarians, the association continues its activities with support from embassies and organizations such as the IFAW Animal Welfare Fund. It also engages in community awareness through workshops and lectures in schools, targeting over 14,000 students annually with its educational campaigns.
In the absence of serious support from official bodies and amid weak enforcement by security authorities, the association stands out as a model of civic initiative striving to save what can still be saved from Lebanon’s environment, while calling for collective awareness of the dangers of unchecked hunting and its threat to ecological balance.