Bridges Investigations is proud to announce that the investigation “The Maltese Falcon Poachers: How European Hunters Endanger Egypt’s Birds” has been awarded First Place in the Kevin Carmody Award for Outstanding Investigative Reporting (Small category) at the 2026 Awards for Reporting on the Environment, presented by the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ).
The investigation exposes transnational illegal hunting networks targeting migratory birds across Europe and the Middle East, shedding light on a largely underreported environmental crime and the systemic gaps that allow it to persist across borders.
This cross-border project was supported by Journalismfund Europe and produced by Mahmoud Elsobky in collaboration with Wael Elsayegh.
The investigation was published by The New Arab in collaboration with Mongabay, The Shift News, and Bridges Investigations, reflecting a strong model of international investigative cooperation.
This recognition highlights the importance of cross-border journalism in uncovering environmental crimes that transcend national boundaries and require coordinated accountability.
In addition to the written investigation, the project was also developed into a two-part podcast series, offering audiences deeper insight into the reporting process and findings: 🎧 Part 1 🎧 Part 2
This multi-format approach highlights the importance of combining investigative reporting with accessible storytelling to reach wider audiences and increase impact.
This recognition further underscores the importance of cross-border journalism in uncovering environmental crimes that transcend national boundaries and require coordinated accountability.
