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Two monkeys smuggled illegally into Israel were recently found — one in Tel Aviv and the other abandoned in a cage in a Bedouin village in the Negev, police said Thursday. This brings the total number of monkeys recovered in recent days to 16.
According to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA), 10 monkeys have been found in the Negev, four in central Israel, and two in the north. Despite the scale of the operation — believed to have been carried out using drones across the Egyptian and Jordanian borders — only one person has been questioned, and no arrests have been made.
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The monkey that was located in Tel Aviv
(Video: Israel Police)
During joint operations by police, Border Police, and the INPA, 16 vervet monkeys have been recovered in Bedouin communities in the Negev, central Israel, and the north. One monkey, found tied by a chain, died from tetanus. The remaining monkeys are in quarantine. While tuberculosis tests have come back negative, authorities await further results from abroad.
The INPA urged the public to seek medical evaluation if they had close contact with the animals, warning of potential zoonotic diseases such as tuberculosis and rabies. The recovered monkeys are being cared for at the Israeli Primate Sanctuary, where they are receiving medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Dr. Tamar Friedman, the sanctuary's director, explained that giving the monkeys names helps with their rehabilitation. Three young female monkeys have been named Marcy, Adva and Dagi. Adva arrived with a large necrotic wound from bites but it is improving. Two adolescent males, named UTO and Amani (meaning "quiet" and "peace" in Swahili), have been paired for support. Among the adult monkeys are Haki ("justice" in Swahili), whose canine teeth were removed by smugglers to reduce his bite, and others named Joah ("sun"), Gonen, Toma, Chamchi and Macho.
Friedman noted that recovery time varies. "The younger ones, like Marcy, who have bonded with other monkeys, recover more quickly," she said. "Older monkeys, especially those who suffered prolonged isolation, face a longer road to rehabilitation."
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The investigation into the monkey smuggling and the recent discovery of lion cubs, which are also believed to have been brought into Israel via drones, continues with no further suspects detained. INPA enforcement head Yatir Shamir called the smuggling "organized crime" and warned that illegal wildlife trade poses significant risks to public health and local ecosystems.
Earlier this week, authorities seized venomous dart frogs in central Israel. Shamir emphasized that invasive species like the Indian myna bird threaten native wildlife. Despite enforcement efforts, he acknowledged challenges due to limited resources and lenient penalties compared to other forms of organized crime.
Meanwhile, four lion cubs recently found are being cared for at the Hai Park in Kiryat Motzkin. While they cannot return to the wild, INPA is exploring permanent sanctuary options. Several animal welfare organizations have urged authorities to prioritize combating wildlife trafficking and ensure the cubs' long-term welfare.