Interviews — Sayd Magazine

From every valley, a story

Shireen Bou Rafoul tells Sayd: I love hunting, but I choose to fight violations and rescue birds.Raptor-document forgery under investigation in Spain; Tunis hosts talks on tackling illegal bird trade Akkar: Sparrowhawk found inside backpack during raptor anti-poaching operation European warning: 11–36 million birds annually; 83% of countries lack sufficient measures Where do birds rest? Sayd explores major migration refuges in the Mashreq and Arabian Peninsula.Touqi Season 2026–2027 spotlights wildlife at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Northern Bekaa: illegal bird-net removals bring the campaign total to 38,280 m² When the coast changes… where do birds rest?Qatar aims to protect 30% of its land and marine areas by 2030 Al-Melwah concludes with 60 winners When Autumn Becomes a Season for Hunting Images Sayd Arab Radar | September 2026: 50 hunters detained and thousands of birds rescued From the Atlas Foothills to the Red Sea Coast… The Arab Hunting Season Enters Autumn 2026 From Sicily to Lebanon: The Battle to Save Migratory Birds from Illegal Hunting The planet’s skies are losing their balance: BirdLife sounds the alarm on global flyways How Did Migration Routes Lose Seven of Their Birds in 150 Years?Widespread environmental destruction in southern Lebanon threatens one of the world’s key bird-migration flyways

Shireen Bou Rafoul tells Sayd: I love hunting, but I choose to fight violations and rescue birds.Raptor-document forgery under investigation in Spain; Tunis hosts talks on tackling illegal bird trade Akkar: Sparrowhawk found inside backpack during raptor anti-poaching operation European warning: 11–36 million birds annually; 83% of countries lack sufficient measures Where do birds rest? Sayd explores major migration refuges in the Mashreq and Arabian Peninsula.Touqi Season 2026–2027 spotlights wildlife at King Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Northern Bekaa: illegal bird-net removals bring the campaign total to 38,280 m² When the coast changes… where do birds rest?Qatar aims to protect 30% of its land and marine areas by 2030 Al-Melwah concludes with 60 winners When Autumn Becomes a Season for Hunting Images Sayd Arab Radar | September 2026: 50 hunters detained and thousands of birds rescued From the Atlas Foothills to the Red Sea Coast… The Arab Hunting Season Enters Autumn 2026 From Sicily to Lebanon: The Battle to Save Migratory Birds from Illegal Hunting The planet’s skies are losing their balance: BirdLife sounds the alarm on global flyways How Did Migration Routes Lose Seven of Their Birds in 150 Years?Widespread environmental destruction in southern Lebanon threatens one of the world’s key bird-migration flyways

Interviews 2

Archive

Shireen Bou Rafoul: From valley to valley, the hunters couldn’t stop her!

Shireen Bou Rafoul: From valley to valley, the hunters couldn’t stop her!

17 October 2026

She loves hunting and considers it part of her identity. But when the choice is between a hunting trip and a mission to rescue a bird, she chooses anti-poaching work. The director of the Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) tells Sayd about the moments from the field that stay with her: a wing trapped beneath a stone, a stork resting its head on her hand, and a kestrel that regained its sight and its freedom.

Alexandra of CABS: our fight is against illegal hunting

Alexandra of CABS: our fight is against illegal hunting

11 October 2026

From watching migration routes to documenting offences, CABS volunteer Alexandra discusses her field experience in Lebanon and Europe, and the patience, risks and cooperation involved in protecting birds. In this interview, she explains why she distinguishes responsible hunters from people who break the law.