Ford Grants help protect Lebanon's endangered hyenas

The striped hyena is found throughout Africa and Asia - including Iran, Afghanistan, India, Nepal and the Middle East. Historically in Lebanon, hyenas have been sighted in the coastal hills, Mount Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

With the spread of urbanisation, their natural habitat has been reduced, leaving them more vulnerable to hunters.

In Lebanon since January 2002, conservationist Mounir Rachid Abi Said, has been working to educate people about these animals, with the ultimate goal of preserving the numbers of striped hyenas in Lebanon.

"The study I am doing in Lebanon aims at understanding the relationship between local people and the striped hyena, which is the largest carnivore in Lebanon. The results of the research project will help find practical solutions to save these animals," said Mounir.

So far, Mounir has surveyed a sample of 800 people from six different areas in Lebanon where the most hyenas have been killed. Over 64.5 per cent of them believe that hyenas 'mesmerize' people with their eyes, and 36.1 per cent believe that the hyena uses supernatural powers to hypnotise people.

Scavenging on dead and infested animals, hyenas prevent the spread of contagious diseases. Their droppings are also a rich fertilizer.

Mounir continues: "The results of my project should direct attention to the importance of hyenas, and the significance of protecting the areas in which they live. In addition to an ecological study, a community awareness initiative is planned, which will include a voluntary workshop where conservation issues for hyenas and other predators will be addressed."

The Grants panel of judges, comprising representatives from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and regional environmental experts, looks for small, non-profit initiatives that are already underway. Projects will be accepted in three categories: natural environment, environmental education and conservation engineering.

Twelve projects were granted funds by Ford Middle East last year. Examples include a project of the Environmental Friends Society in Bahrain, which received the highest grant in 2004 of US$13,000 for developing education centres that will be used at exhibitions and fairs in the Kingdom. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in Jordan received a grant of US$10,000 last year to help save the Aphanius Sirhani, a rare and endangered species of fish unique to Jordan.

According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), 15,589 species of animals and plants around the world are threatened with extinction and many ecosystems - wetlands, forests - are being degraded and destroyed. The striped hyena is categorised by IUCN as a near threatened species.

Using the Ford Grant funds, Mounir will continue to play his part in sustaining the world's astonishing natural wealth. He is currently busy organising conservation and awareness programmes in different villages across Lebanon and introducing people to the Animal Encounter Educational Centre for Wildlife and Conservation in Aley, where they can learn about biodiversity in Lebanon.

"It's been amazing to discover the dedication of people who, for little or no reward but personal satisfaction, offer their time and effort to the cause of preserving the environment," commented Andy Acho, worldwide director of Ford's Environmental Outreach & Strategy.