Animals
National Animal
The striped hyena“Wild animals never kill for sport. Humans are the only ones to whom the torture and death of their fellow creatures is amusing in itself.”
James Anthony Froude
Animals commonly seen in the wild
Marine fauna:
Sea turtles, bottle-nosed dolphins, octopuses.
Birds:
Spotted eagle, horned owls, partridge, long-legged buzzard, herons, pelicans, egrets, pigeons, kingfishers, woodpeckers.
Land mammals:
Gray wolves, red foxes, wild boars, jackals, wildcats, striped hyenas, badgers, porcupines, squirrels, beech marten, weasels, deer.
Snakes and insects:
Lizards, vipers, geckos, chameleons, whip snakes, land turtles, dice snakes, dragonflies.
Common sights you will not like
In the city and on the road
Stray dogs and cats can be seen. Both are sometimes killed through poisonous food left outside. Trading of rare animals such as tigers and lions still takes place in Lebanon. Tigers and lions are often locked in cages to be used by circuses, or paraded by wealthy individuals as status symbol.
In theCountryside
Horses, donkeys and mules are used as working animals and are used for farming and transportation purposes.
General animal welfare issues
In August 29, 2017, the first animal welfare bill was signed into law by the country’s president. The law is called the Animals Protection and Welfare Law that is meant to guarantee that domestic and wild animals will be legally protected from abuse.
Hunting or poaching:
Main animals being hunted are birds due to the fact that Lebanon is in the center of large bird migrations moving from Europe to Asia and vice versa.
Animal fights:
Animal fights are illegal. Despite this cockfights and dogfights are still happening in the country.
Sanctuaries to visit or volunteer:
N/A
We have not included the treatment of animals in the meat/fur/leather industries, zoos or circuses, animal testing as these practices still frequently take place in many countries.
