In Lebanon: A Captured Lion... and Agriculture Takes Action

Immediately upon receiving information about the presence of a captured lion inside one of the facilities in the Labweh–Baalbek area, the Ministry of Agriculture launched an urgent action, taking all necessary legal and technical measures to protect the animal, paving the way for its seizure and transfer to a safe and appropriate location equipped with proper care, safety, and animal welfare conditions.

In this context, Agriculture Minister Dr. Nizar Hani sent a letter to the Public Prosecutor of the Baalbek Appeal Court, Judge Marcel Hadad, requesting the appointment of a temporary judicial guardian for the lion until all legal procedures are completed and a qualified center is secured to receive it. The Labweh Police Station was informed of the letter's contents, and the Chief Public Prosecutor of Baalbek, Judge Rita Harou, gave her approval for the facility owner to be appointed as a temporary judicial guardian of the lion, pending completion of seizure and transfer procedures.

The Ministry emphasized that the swift and responsible response, along with full coordination between the ministry, the competent judiciary, and internal security forces, formed the foundation for immediate actions aimed at protecting the animal, ensuring its safety and well-being, and preventing any unauthorized actions, until all necessary procedures are finalized. The ministry clarified that the seizure operation will be carried out as soon as a suitable shelter is secured, in coordination with relevant associations and authorities, and that the lion will be transferred according to established technical and legal standards, in preparation for taking the necessary steps to return it to its original habitat, while respecting its safety and international standards.

Until the transfer process is completed, the lion will be subject to regular monitoring and oversight by the Animal Resources Department at the Baalbek–Hermel Agricultural Office, coordinated with the CITES Office (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) within the Ministry of Agriculture.

The ministry stressed that it will continue monitoring the case until all legal and technical stages are completed, reaffirming its commitment to protecting wildlife, enforcing relevant national laws and international agreements, and taking firm action against any unauthorized captivity or illegal trade in wild animals.