Israeli Course Teaches Tracking Skills to Locate Missing Persons and Stolen Items in Desert

In the Arava desert, a unique course trains participants in human tracking techniques, aiming to locate missing individuals, stolen vehicles, or hidden objects. The course, led by Omri Shakutai, attracts diverse participants including a tech worker, a writer, and a school janitor, all learning to interpret subtle signs in nature such as footprints, tire marks, and environmental disturbances.

The training involves practical exercises conducted over 24 hours, including night searches under challenging conditions. One scenario involved finding a hidden ammunition magazine buried in the desert soil, while another tasked teams with locating a stolen car using minimal initial information and strategic questioning of locals. Participants develop skills to distinguish relevant traces from their own and analyze environmental clues, enhancing their situational awareness.

Among the trainees is Tamara Weiss Gabay, a Jerusalem-based author inspired by her growing passion for nature and human connection, which also influences her writing. Another participant, Thierry Lescart, a French immigrant with a background in military and jungle anti-smuggling operations, joined after witnessing the need for professional tracking in his community following a tragic missing person case.

Shakutai emphasizes that tracking today goes beyond following footprints; it requires comprehensive investigation including interviewing witnesses, understanding weather impacts, and analyzing various signs. He has established rapid-response tracking teams to assist in missing person searches, aiming to professionalize this field and integrate it into official rescue and police units.

The course also addresses psychological aspects, with instructor Niki Levy noting increased interest as people seek control and security in uncertain times, especially after the traumatic events of October 7. The training fosters cognitive skills applicable in everyday life, enabling participants to "read" their environment more effectively. The program highlights the value of curiosity, attention to detail, and cultural awareness, drawing on traditional Bedouin tracking wisdom while adapting it for modern challenges.