Striped Hyena, Bella

The Story of the Striped Hyena “Bella” and the Legal Precedent

The striped hyena “Bella” marked a turning point in the journey of the Green Southerners Association regarding wildlife protection in Lebanon. On September 7, 2015, the hyena was caught in an iron trap set by an individual near the town of Blaat in southern Lebanon, resulting in severe injuries. When the person who set the trap refused to hand it over, the association faced a critical dilemma, especially during a judicial recess while the hyena’s life was in danger.

At that moment, the association took the initiative to file a case and contact the relevant authorities. The association’s president personally approached the Financial Public Prosecutor, Judge Dr. Ali Ibrahim, requesting urgent intervention. The judge issued an unprecedented ruling ordering the hyena—named “Bella” after the town of Blaat—to be handed over to the association. On September 12, activists from the Green Southerners, supported by the Internal Security Forces, received Bella and transported her directly to the Wildlife Recognition Center in Aley, where she received necessary veterinary and environmental care until she fully recovered. She was later released back into the wild in the same region.

This ruling was considered a legal precedent in Lebanon, as it officially recognized the striped hyena as a protected species and paved the way for the practical enforcement of wildlife protection laws. Since then, “Bella” has become a national symbol of biodiversity conservation, a living testimony to the ability of civil society to uphold environmental laws, protect endangered species, and strengthen the concept of environmental justice in Lebanon.