Monkey found in a cage in a moshav: resident of Barhiya arrested and released under restrictive conditions
The monkey, a green monkey, was found being kept in a cage in a house in the moshav of Barhiya. It was rescued and transferred to the Israeli Primate Sanctuary, where it will undergo comprehensive medical examinations. A local resident in his 30s was arrested on suspicion of trafficking and illegal possession of a protected wild animal.
A green monkey was found over the past weekend inside a cage in the moshav of Barhiya, according to a joint statement by the Israel Police and the Nature and Parks Authority. The suspect, a resident of Barhiya in his 30s, was arrested and subsequently released under restrictive conditions on suspicion of trafficking and illegal possession of a protected wild animal. The monkey was rescued and transferred to the Israeli Primate Sanctuary.
During operational activities conducted by the Israel Police over the weekend, the green monkey was seized at the home of a Barhiya resident while locked inside a cage. Police officers rescued the monkey and handed it over to inspectors from the Nature and Parks Authority. The monkey was later transferred to the Israeli Primate Sanctuary, where it will receive care and undergo medical examinations.
The suspect in the possession of the monkey was arrested and questioned on suspicion of trafficking and illegal possession of a protected wild animal. Shortly thereafter, he was released back to his home under restrictive conditions.
The Israel Police and the Nature and Parks Authority reiterated that keeping monkeys in private care is prohibited and considered a serious offense, partly due to the significant harm that can be caused to the sensitive animal, which has complex care needs, particularly social needs that a human cannot provide.
About two weeks ago, the Israel Police and security forces located and rescued a monkey that was being kept in a cage in the city of Jericho. During the raid on the house, which also included Nature and Parks Authority inspectors and IDF soldiers, the green monkey was found being kept in a cage inside the house. A resident of Ramle in her 30s was arrested and questioned by the Nature and Parks Authority.
The police raided the house, in accordance with a court order, after suspicions arose regarding a monkey being kept in the home. The police operation was carried out based on intelligence from the David District of the Jerusalem District and the Gilad District of the Judea and Samaria District. The police stated that the suspect was released under restrictive conditions and will be summoned for further investigation on suspicion of trafficking, hunting, and illegal possession of a protected wild animal.
