Palmyra Eco-Guiding (PEG) is a group of three motivated and well trained local guides recently created with the aim of ensuring an income to locals from biodiversity conservation. They have been trained for about 6 years in the framework of a UN-FAO project (GCP/SYR/009/ITA - Website under construction), during which they participated in a major surveying programme aimed at preparing a comprehensive fauna database and high-quality photographic archive.

During this survey program encompassing the main four ecosystem of Palmyrean Al Badia (desertic steppe), 1 species of Amphibian was detected and identified, 22 Reptiles, 260 Birds, and 23 Mammals - the survey culminated in the discovery of the so-called lost colony of bald ibis of the Middle East in the Palmyrean Al Badia*

The guides of PEG are registered with Transtour Co. Damascus Syria (the major tourist operator in the country), speak English, have experience in dealing with western tourists, operate 4x4 vehicles and have regular driving licence, know very well how to orientate and drive in the desert, have contacts and friends among Bedouin nomads of Palmyrean desert and within all around Syria, know common English names of birds, know major star constellations.

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*see: Surfbirds Wildlife News - http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2117624.stm - http://www.osme.org/osme/ibis.html)