Four Ibex Rescued After Being Trapped in Desert Pool

A unique rescue operation concluded last weekend in the Verdit stream in the Arava desert, where four adult ibex had been trapped for several days in a deep, slippery pool and were unable to escape. The situation began after hikers reported spotting the ibex stuck in the pool. Initially, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) decided to wait, hoping the animals would find a way out on their own to minimize human intervention.

After several days without success, an INPA ranger and the regional manager descended to the site and managed to rescue two of the ibex. A wooden ramp was then placed in the pool, with the hope that the remaining two would use it to escape independently. However, further intervention was required.

The INPA contacted the Arava Rescue Unit, which has a long-standing collaboration with the authority, assisting in both human and animal rescues in the region. The INPA described the rescue as complex due to the pool's remote location, the lack of cell service, and the fact that the rescue was performed without tranquilizing the animals.

On Saturday, volunteers from the Arava Rescue Unit, including a team specializing in height rescues, arrived with the necessary equipment. Upon entering the pool, they discovered one of the two remaining ibex had already managed to escape on its own, leaving only one ibex trapped. After several hours of joint effort, the final ibex was safely rescued using specialized equipment and the expertise of the rescue unit and the INPA ranger.

All four ibex were successfully removed from the pool and are reported to be in good condition. "Thanks to the alertness of hikers who reported the four ibex trapped in the pool, we learned of the case," said Meshesh Dayan, an INPA ranger for the central Arava region. "We initially gave them time hoping they would manage to get out on their own, but when we saw that wasn't happening, we decided to intervene." He expressed satisfaction that all four ibex were out and well, thanking the hikers who reported the incident and the Arava Rescue Unit volunteers for their swift assistance.

The INPA also reminded the public to maintain distance from wildlife, avoid touching or feeding them, and to contact the INPA hotline at *3639 if they encounter an injured, distressed, or potentially threatening wild animal.