Wild animals given a second chance at rescue centre in Lebanon - in pictures

At the Animal Encounter centre, mammalogist Mounir AbiSaiid works to promote environmental awareness and rehabilitates injured, orphaned or trapped wild animals

Founder Dr Mounir AbiSaiid pets a striped hyena at the Animal Encounter environmental conservation centre in the Lebanese mountain town of Aley, south-east of the capital Beirut. AFP

An injured eagle owl at the Animal Encounter centre. Dr Mounir AbiSaiid uses the animals and birds being rehabilitated at the centre in the Lebanese town of Aley to heighten environmental awareness among visitors. AFP

Dr Mounir AbiSaiid feeds two deer fawns at the Animal Encounter centre. Much of the conservation centre's work involves caring for injured, orphaned or trapped wild animals. AFP

A wounded barn owl in the care of Mounir AbiSaiid at Lebanon's Animal Encounter environmental conservation centre. The centre rehabilitates many shot and injured birds. AFP

A wounded stork is among the birds being rehabilitated at the Animal Encounter centre. Dr Mounir AbiSaiid started the conservation refuge in his 300 sq m back garden in 1993. AFP

The Animal Encounter conservation centre in Aley, Lebanon, has several deer in its care. As the centre's fame grew, the local council gave it a new 2,100 sq m home in 1997. AFP

A captive vulture is one of many exotic birds being nursed back to health in the hope of being released into the wild by workers at the Animal Encounter conservation in Aley, Lebanon. AFP

A wounded eagle at the Animal Encounter refuge in Aley, southeast of Lebanon's capital Beirut. AFP

Animal Encounter specialises in striped hyenas. The centre was the first in Lebanon to breed the animals in captivity. AFP

An Arabian wolf at the Animal Encounter centre in Aley, southeast of the capital Beirut. The refuge is famed for its conservation work and educational programmes for visiting school groups. AFP

Jackals at the Animal Encounter environmental conservation centre, which attracts 30,000 visitors to the Lebanese mountain town of Aley every year. AFP

This Syrian brown bear, considered extinct in the wild in Lebanon, is one of the big draws at the Animal Encounter environmental conservation centre in Aley. School groups are taught about Lebanon's wildlife, environment and diversity and given a guided a guided tour. AFP

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