Israeli Authorities Arrest Woman for Illegal Possession of Protected Monkey in Jericho

Israeli police and environmental authorities discovered a green vervet monkey illegally held in a home in Jericho. The monkey was rescued from a cage during a court-ordered search conducted by officers from the Beqaa police station, Nature and Parks Authority inspectors, the Civil Administration's Nature Reserves Unit, and IDF soldiers from the Lavi Battalion. The animal was transferred to the Israeli Monkey Sanctuary for care.

The suspect, a woman in her 30s from Ramla, was arrested and interrogated on suspicion of illegal wildlife trade, hunting, and possession of a protected wild animal. She was released under restrictive conditions and will be summoned for further investigation. The operation was supported by the Jericho Intelligence Unit and coordinated by the David and Gilad districts in the Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria regions.

Police, the IDF, and the Nature and Parks Authority emphasized their ongoing cooperation to combat illegal wildlife trafficking while ensuring public safety and animal welfare.