Flying Donkey Stunt in Lebanese Airspace Sparks Widespread Controversy

A video circulating rapidly across social media platforms has triggered significant backlash in Lebanon after depicting two individuals performing paragliding while transporting a small donkey through Lebanese airspace—a scene many have characterized as shocking and a violation of fundamental safety protocols and proper aviation procedures, while simultaneously raising serious concerns about animal protection and welfare.

The footage quickly generated extensive criticism, particularly from animal welfare organizations and professional paragliders affiliated with licensed clubs under the Lebanese Air Sports Federation.

The incident occurs amid a current ban on paragliding activities throughout Lebanon, implemented through directives from military leadership and the air operations command center in response to the security situation and Israeli military operations targeting the country. This prohibition has devastated the sector, forcing numerous paragliding facilities to cease operations for over three months and preventing them from serving clients.

Soha Tahhoumi, deputy head of the Lebanese Air Sports Federation, stated that the individual featured in the video, identified as Abdullah Makari, holds no affiliation with any licensed paragliding club in Lebanon and maintains no membership with the federation, despite regulations requiring anyone engaging in the sport to be registered with an accredited club. She emphasized that Makari possesses no certification authorizing paragliding activity and operates without any official license or qualifications, with his equipment specifications remaining unknown to the federation.

Tahhoumi noted the federation has previously reported Makari to official and security authorities multiple times. She clarified that the federation's role is limited to oversight and monitoring, with enforcement authority resting with competent governmental agencies. She stressed that paragliding remains completely suspended throughout Lebanon with no official flight authorization, making the incident a clear violation of existing laws and regulations.

She contended that such actions directly damage the reputation of paragliding as a sport in Lebanon, particularly since the individual involved neither represents the sector nor the professional pilots maintaining proper federation and club membership during the current prohibition period.

In response, Makari defended the stunt, claiming to Lebanon Debate that the idea was spontaneous and intended no harm to the animal. He argued that people keep dogs, birds, and other animals as family members, and he views the donkey similarly. He characterized the flight as a novel and unusual experience that perhaps explains the controversy, asserting that animal owners typically exercise greater care than others and that human life is not inherently more valuable than animal life.

Ihab Shaaban, head of the Lebanese Veterinary Doctors Association, warned of the serious dangers involved. He explained that donkeys cannot comprehend their surroundings and therefore face significant psychological stress and negative health consequences from such experiences. He emphasized that the concern extends beyond the animal to human safety, as any sudden reaction from the frightened or anxious donkey could cause a catastrophic accident during flight.

Shaaban stressed that animals should not serve as entertainment or spectacle for generating social media views, and subjecting them to situations causing physical or psychological harm is entirely unacceptable. He concluded by emphasizing that animal protection represents both an ethical and humanitarian responsibility, particularly since animals cannot assess the dangers imposed upon them, placing heightened responsibility on humans to refrain from causing them harm.

Sources have questioned whether military command and the general prosecutor will take action against the individual and confiscate the paraglide before a potential disaster occurs due to recklessness and negligence.

According to reports, Makari operates a commercial paragliding service, transporting paying passengers without any organizational or regulatory oversight.

Amid escalating controversy and public safety concerns, animal welfare organizations and activists have called upon the appellate prosecutor general for the North, Judge Hani Al-Hajjar, to intervene and implement appropriate measures to halt these practices, particularly given clear legal and regulatory violations, before a potentially catastrophic incident occurs.