Green Monkey Found in Cage in Moshav Berachia; Owner Arrested

Israeli police and the Nature and Parks Authority discovered a green guenon monkey held in a cage in the moshav (agricultural village) of Berachia over the past weekend. Authorities arrested a resident of Berachia in his 30s on suspicion of illegal trade and possession of a protected wild animal.

The monkey was rescued by police and transferred to the care of the Nature and Parks Authority inspectors. It has since been moved to the Israeli Monkey Sanctuary for treatment and medical examinations.

The suspect was questioned and subsequently released under restrictive conditions. Police and the Nature and Parks Authority emphasized that keeping monkeys in private captivity is illegal and a serious offense, citing the significant harm such animals can suffer due to their complex social and care needs, which cannot be met by humans.

This incident follows a similar rescue two weeks prior in Jericho, where police and security forces, along with Nature and Parks Authority inspectors and IDF soldiers, found and rescued another green guenon monkey kept in a cage. A resident of Ramla in her 30s was arrested and questioned in that operation, also on suspicion of illegal trade, hunting, and possession of a protected wild animal. She was also released under restrictive conditions pending further investigation.