Following SIRAJ Investigation, Authorities Take Action Against Illegal Bird Hunting Methods
The Al-Nasiriya Municipal Council in rural Damascus has ordered hunters to remove bird-hunting nets from the village within 48 hours, in accordance with Law No. 14 of 2023, which regulates wildlife hunting and prohibits indiscriminate hunting methods.
The decision followed an investigative report published by the Syrian Investigative Reporting for Accountability Journalism (SIRAJ), which exposed indiscriminate quail hunting using prohibited equipment.
In a statement published on its official Facebook page, the municipality announced that necessary legal measures would be taken against violators, and that hunting nets would be confiscated and burned after 48 hours from the issuance of the notice.
The council also urged residents to comply with the law to protect bird populations, ensure their sustainability, preserve endangered species, and restore ecological balance.
A notice issued by the Al-Nasiriya Municipal Council in rural Damascus orders the removal of hunting nets within 48 hours and warns that violators will face confiscation and burning of their nets, as well as legal action
Following the notice, videos circulated showing Internal Security patrols, in cooperation with the Al-Nabk and Yabroud authorities and the Al-Nabk District Administration, removing more than 2,500 meters of illegal hunting nets from the Al-Arqoub area of Al-Nabk. The confiscated nets were subsequently destroyed and burned.
A video documenting the removal and burning of more than 2,500 meters of illegal hunting nets in the Al-Arqoub area of Al-Nabk, during a campaign carried out by Internal Security Forces in cooperation with the relevant authorities in Al-Nabk and Yabroud.
SIRAJ’s investigation, titled “The Last Journey: Hunting with Loudspeakers Depletes Quail Populations as They Migrate Across Syria”, examines how quail hunting in Syria has evolved from a seasonal hobby into a primary occupation and source of livelihood for many families. The investigation features firsthand testimonies from hunters and experts about the sharp decline in quail populations caused by indiscriminate hunting using nets and birdlime. It also highlights the crucial role quail play in maintaining ecological balance.
The investigation documents illegal quail hunting practices involving unconventional methods, particularly nets, loudspeakers that broadcast recorded quail calls to attract the birds, and birdlime (a sticky adhesive applied to trees to trap birds).
BirdLife Europe & Central Asia considers these traps among the worst threats quail face during their annual migration, as they are indiscriminate and can rapidly capture and kill large numbers of birds.
According to a report published in May 2025 by BirdLife International, an organization dedicated to bird conservation, Syria ranks among the ten most dangerous countries for migratory birds in the Mediterranean region.
Despite international efforts, Syria remains a major hotspot for the depletion of migratory bird populations, with an estimated 3.9 million birds illegally killed or captured each year. This figure has shown no significant decline since previous assessments, largely due to the continued lack of effective law enforcement in key hunting areas.
