Egypt removes 18K meters of illegal nets in effort to protect migratory birds

CAIRO – 11 October 2025:  Dr. Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment, announced that the Ministry of Environment, through its Northern Region nature reserves, has successfully removed approximately 18,000 meters of illegal nets used to trap migratory birds. 

The operation also resulted in the confiscation of several illegal devices and tools. The announcement coincides with the global celebration of World Migratory Bird Day (October 2025), held this year under the theme “Shared Spaces: Towards Bird-Friendly Cities and Communities.”

Dr. Awad emphasized that this milestone reflects Egypt’s ongoing efforts to safeguard migratory birds and maintain safe flyways through northern Egypt. She praised the field teams working in the reserves, noting their continued efforts since the hunting regulation came into effect on September 1, 2025, which have led to unprecedented positive outcomes.

In detail, the Ashtum El Gamil Reserve in Port Said Governorate removed around 13,000 meters of illegal netting and confiscated three bird sound simulators along with three sewn posts. Meanwhile, the Burullus Reserve in Kafr El Sheikh Governorate removed 5,000 meters of netting and seized two sound simulators and five sewn posts.

Dr. Awad also highlighted that no poaching cases were reported in the El Omayed and Salloum reserves during the current migration season. She attributed this success to growing environmental awareness among local hunters and the effective enforcement of conservation laws by reserve staff.

A large number of rescued birds were released back into their natural habitats after veterinary assessment confirmed their ability to safely continue their migration—demonstrating Egypt’s commitment to international agreements on biodiversity protection and anti-poaching efforts.

The Minister reaffirmed Egypt’s dedication to establishing safe corridors for migratory birds, stressing that the protection of these species is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration at both local and international levels. Migratory birds play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, and protecting them is vital for sustaining biodiversity.

Egypt celebrates World Migratory Bird Day twice a year—on the second Saturdays of May and October—marking the outbound and return migration seasons. The observance aims to raise awareness about the importance of conserving migratory birds and their flyways. Egypt is a key stopover site for millions of birds each year, thanks to its diverse network of nature reserves and biodiverse wetlands.