Police find lion cub, said to be in poor health, inside abandoned house in central Israel

By Charlie Summers

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24 April 2025, 7:52 pm

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Illustrative: An illegally held lion cub discovered by Israeli police in the central city of Tira on April 24, 2025. (Israel Police)

Central District police have found another lion cub while searching an abandoned house in Tira, a law enforcement spokesman says.

The lion cub is the fifth to have been discovered by Israeli authorities since the start of the year, and was tied up and being held in “harsh conditions,” police say.

Police also detained a 28-year-old suspect for questioning in connection with the illegally held animal.

The discovery is the most recent development in the Israel Police’s ongoing pursuit of an animal smuggling ring, responsible for trafficking several monkeys and lion cubs into Israel via Jordan and Egypt.

Police officers transferred the lion, in reportedly poor health, to the Nature and Parks Authority for further examination and treatment.