Police Rescue Green Monkey Held Illegally in Southern Israel

During an operational activity over the weekend, police officers from the Laqiya station, along with Border Police and the Southern Command's special unit, discovered a green monkey being kept in a cage at the home of a man in his 30s in the moshav of Bria. The monkey was found in violation of the law.

The officers rescued the primate and transferred it to the care of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Subsequently, the monkey was moved to the Israeli Primate Sanctuary for ongoing treatment and medical examinations.

The suspect, the resident of Bria, was arrested and is being investigated for suspected illegal trade and possession of a protected wild animal. He was later released under restrictive conditions.

Both the Israel Police and the Nature and Parks Authority are reminding the public that keeping monkeys in private homes is prohibited and considered a serious offense. This is due to the significant harm that can be caused to these sensitive animals, which have complex needs, particularly social requirements that humans cannot fulfill.