Israel Nature and Parks Authority

October 15, 2019, 1:17 pm

Fawn born to endangered gazelles in southern Israel

Just 30 to 40 acacia gazelles remain in a protected area of the Arava desert

By Sue Surkes

Dolphins spotted off the coast of central Israel in the Mediterranean Sea on October 15, 2019. (Guy Lavian/Israel Nature and Parks Authority)

October 15, 2019, 11:30 am

Ten dolphins spotted off coast of central Israel

Nature and Parks Authority wildlife inspectors publish footage of marine mammals in Mediterranean

By TOI staff

Illustrative: Israelis swim at Gan HaShlosha National Park in northern Israel on September 9, 2017. (Gili Yaari/Flash90)

September 30, 2019, 6:28 pm

Tens of thousands flock to Israel’s national parks, beaches on Rosh Hashanah

Nature reserves from north to south fill up with hikers; Sea of Galilee beaches packed as Israelis enjoy the fine weather

By TOI staff

Illustrative: In this January 15, 2010, file photo, a sea otter is seen in Morro Bay, California. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, file)

August 25, 2019, 11:09 am

Otter that bit two hikers is found, rabies ruled out

Galilee hiking trail reopened after officials determine animal escaped petting farm, likely attacked travelers since it’s used to getting food from humans

By TOI staff

Illustrative: A young European Otter eats a trout. (AP Photo/Keystone, Steffen Schmidt)

August 24, 2019, 10:58 pm

Galilee hiking path closed after otter bites two people

Authorities say there is some concern the animal could have rabies and has instructed those attacked to inoculate themselves

By TOI staff

A herd of elephants form a protective circle against a perceived threat in Mikumi National Park, Tanzania, March 21, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

August 17, 2019, 6:22 pm

Israel seeks to ban trade in woolly mammoth tusks to protect elephants

At World Wildlife Conference, Israeli scheme aims to stop the ‘laundering’ of ivory, often presented as product from extinct species

By TOI staff and AP

Illustrative - A sea turtle laying eggs on the beach. (Yaniv Levy, Israel National Parks Authority)

August 5, 2019, 2:32 pm

Don’t drive on the beach: It’s turtle hatching season

Nature and Parks Authority calls on public to stay away from shore after hatchling found trapped in depression caused by tire marks

By Sue Surkes

One of dozens of reptiles found in a Tel Aviv apartment as part of an international operation against illegal trade in animals, June 2019. (Israel Nature and Parks Authority)

July 17, 2019, 4:38 pm

Police find dozens of exotic reptiles in raid on Tel Aviv apartment

Hoard including snapping turtles and poison dart frogs smuggled into Israel for sale on black market; suspect detained for questioning as part of international operation

By Stuart Winer

Mount Zion archaeological excavations conducted by the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, in cooperation with Ashkelon Academic College, at the Jerusalem Walls National Park, 2019. (Virginia Withers)

July 15, 2019, 4:26 pm

First evidence of Crusader siege from July 15, 1099, uncovered at Old City walls

920 years ago, Crusaders breached Jerusalem and conquered the walled Fatimid city. Now the Mount Zion Project has found a chronicled moat that to many scholars had seemed like myth

By Amanda Borschel-Dan

An Israeli soldier uses a fire hose in an undated photograph. (Israel Defense Forces)

July 10, 2019, 8:20 pm

South sees stark drop in number of fires caused by Gaza arson attacks

Unclear whether fivefold fall in blazes in border region is due to improved IDF abilities or fewer launches of balloon-borne incendiaries

By Judah Ari Gross

Illustrative photo of a snake eagle chick. (Liad Cohen, Nature and Parks Authority)

June 22, 2019, 1:35 am

Snake eagle chick saved from fire thanks to IDF conservation program

Nature Defense Force, launched five years ago, maps important nesting sites in firing-range areas to protect trees from brush fires

By Sue Surkes

A snake confiscated by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority during a crackdown on the illegal trade in reptiles, June 17, 2019. (Israel Nature and Parks Authority)

June 18, 2019, 1:39 am

Israel nabs smuggled reptiles, including rare boa constrictors, turtles

Israel Nature and Parks Authority joins Interpol, Europol and more than 20 nations in major clampdown on illegal smuggling and keeping of reptiles

By Sue Surkes

One of the rooms at the new King Herod's Vaults Visitor Center, which opened at the Caesarea National Park on May 29, 2019. (Melanie Lidman/Times of Israel)

May 30, 2019, 6:11 pm

Caesarea opens new NIS 80 million visitor center in reconstructed vaults

Complete reconstruction of ruins can be controversial, but adapting ancient buildings to modern uses is part of a worldwide trend to breathe more life into archaeological sites

By Melanie Lidman

Members of Israel's Sea Turtle Rescue Center release an injured, pregnant turtle on May 26, 2019, after it was rescued on May 23, while in distress far from shore. (Channel 11 screen capture)

May 26, 2019, 8:54 pm

Ultrasound surprise: Injured turtle found to be pregnant

Imaging scan of turtle found off northern coast reveals crack in shell is not as serious as her need to give birth, so she is treated and released to lay her eggs

By TOI staff

An Egyptian vulture in flight over the Gamla nature reserve on the Israeli Golan, May 2013. (Wikipedia/Вых Пыхманн/CC BY-SA)

May 22, 2019, 12:32 pm

Egyptian vultures return to Carmel mountains after 60-year absence

Rare nest found perched on cliff face at Hai Bar Nature Reserve, just two weeks after griffon vulture population on Golan Heights was decimated in poisoning incident

By TOI staff