Israeli Forces Discover Illegal Wildlife in West Bank Compound

Border Police (Magav) forces and Israel Nature and Parks Authority inspectors conducted a raid on a compound in the village of Shuwaika, near Tulkarm, uncovering a cache of illegally held wildlife. During the operation on Thursday night, officers discovered two gazelles and two badgers kept in violation of the law.

The raid was part of an ongoing investigation by the Central Magav District into the illegal possession of protected wild animals. The animals found were sedated and captured by Nature and Parks Authority inspectors before being transferred for further care. A Tulkarm resident in his 60s was arrested at the scene and taken for questioning by the Central Magav District.

Further searches of the suspect's residence revealed additional illegally held animals, including an albino wallaby, two blue-tongued skinks, and a common hedgehog. Several pets and farm animals, including a sheep, hamsters, and rabbits, were also found living in poor conditions. The Nature and Parks Authority took custody of the wild animals, returning the hedgehog to its natural habitat and the other exotic species to a zoo.

The arrested suspect is being investigated for offenses including harming wild animals, illegal possession, breaking and entering, theft, and illegal hunting.