Lion cub rescued from pit in Negev as Police crack down on illegal wildlife trade

The cub, believed to be a three- to four-month-old female, was discovered during a joint operation by officers from the Segev Shalom Police Station and Border Police. After being taken to the station, the young lion was handed over to Nature and Parks Authority inspectors, who will ensure it receives medical care and a safe haven in a protected shelter.

This rescue is part of a broader crackdown on illegal wildlife possession in the region. Over the past week, authorities have liberated seven monkeys and three lion cubs from dire conditions, some requiring urgent treatment for injuries and illness. The latest haul included three green monkeys and two additional lion cubs seized overnight, alongside a monkey found in a Tel Sheva school and another on the grounds of Be’er Sheva Prison. Ben Rosenberg, Director of the Wildlife Protection Division at the Nature and Parks Authority, condemned the practice, noting, “Privately holding protected animals like lions and monkeys is a severe crime. Their complex needs can’t be met, leading to evident harm.” He highlighted the animals’ mutilated states and the impossibility of returning them to the wild, urging the public to report sightings of smuggled wildlife online.

The operations stem from social media videos exposing the illegal trade, prompting a targeted police effort in the Negev. Lt. Col. Amir Klein, Negev Region Commander, vowed to continue the hunt for suspects and animals. Meanwhile, Yisrael Beyteinu Chairman MK Avigdor Liberman issued a stark warning: “If a lion cub and monkeys can be smuggled into Israel, anything can. Criminals could soon collaborate with Nukhba terrorists.” He criticized the government’s security spending, promising a tougher stance if his party regains power. The rescued animals, now under care, face an uncertain future as authorities combat a trade threatening both wildlife and public safety.