Police rescue two monkeys in Negev as part of crackdown on illegal animal trade

A monkey, likely trafficked into Israel, after being rescued by police in the Negev on April 10, 2025. (Israel Police)
A monkey, likely trafficked into Israel, after being rescued by police in the Negev on April 10, 2025. (Israel Police)

Police rescued another two Guenon monkeys last night in the Negev, a law enforcement spokesman says.

The two were located as part of a larger crackdown by law enforcement against an animal smuggling ring thought to be trafficking monkeys and lion cubs into Israel.

The investigation has been ongoing for over a month, with officers rescuing the first trafficked monkey on March 5. With today’s rescue, police have found a total of 29 monkeys in Israel since the investigation began.

A spokesman adds that cops located four monkeys within 24 hours. Officers yesterday found an abandoned monkey trapped in a cage near Taybeh, in northern Israel, and the day before that found another monkey in the southern city of Dimona.

The Nature and Parks Authority transferred both monkeys captured today to a sanctuary for further treatment, and police say they are continuing to track down the culprits.

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