Lion cubs and monkeys smuggled into Israel using drones are now receiving care

Israel Police reported that four lion cubs and at least ten monkeys discovered in southern Israel in recent days were apparently smuggled into the country using drones from Jordan and Egypt.

During recent raids to apprehend the smugglers and collect the animals brought into the country illegally, police located several drones capable of carrying up to 70 kilograms (approximately 155 pounds). 

In the past, most cross-border smuggling was conducted on foot or by vehicle, but the use of high-capacity drones has significantly changed the rules of the game.

Southern District Commander Maj.-Gen. Haim Bublil said the smugglers have benefited from the new heavy-duty drones, allowing them to conduct more operations than before. 

"In the past, there were no drones that could carry such a weight," Bublil said. "These are drones worth hundreds of thousands of shekels, but it's still economical for the gangs. Even after catching a drone, they quickly acquire a new one.” 

During searches in the southern Bedouin community of Bir Hadaj, police reported finding a drone in nearly every house they searched.

The police stated that drones enable smuggling operations to be executed rapidly. Smugglers wait near the border for the drones to cross, quickly collect the animals, and leave the area in off-road vehicles.

While Israel Defense Forces and the police share responsibility for stopping smuggling across the borders, the use of drones has made the job more challenging. Israel's border with Egypt stretches hundreds of kilometers, much of it through harsh desert terrain. The use of high-capacity drones allows smugglers to use smaller vehicles to reach the border fence, attracting less attention.

Police are concerned that the same gangs smuggling wild animals into Israel are also involved in trafficking drugs and cigarettes into the Gaza Strip. In addition, high-capacity drones are increasingly being used to smuggle weapons into Israel, making the process significantly easier than in the past.

Police first noticed the use of drones to smuggle weapons in 2023. Last year, hundreds of weapons were seized in police raids. According to a Ynet News report, the flood of weapons has caused the price of illegal weapons to drop in Israel, however, the demand for illegal drugs and weapons is still profitable enough for gangs to make a large profit. 

The use of high capacity drones to smuggle wild animals into Israel is a relatively new trend.  

Last week, two of the smuggled lion cubs were brought to the Hai (Life) Park zoo in Kiryat Motzkin, in the Haifa Bay area. After two more cubs were found, they were also transferred to the zoo, where they are undergoing treatment and observation. The monkeys are being cared for at a shelter, receiving treatment for various complications caused by their captivity and transport into Israel.

Authorities said that beyond the issue of animal abuse involved in capturing and smuggling the wild animals, there is also a significant risk of disease transmission, particularly from monkeys to humans.

Police have not yet arrested the smugglers but believe they are close to identifying and capturing them.

"We activated intelligence sources, and in less than 24 hours we got our hands on some of the monkeys. Afterwards, we located the lion cub and another cub was located in the center. We have indications about the identity of some of those involved, and I assume that we will get our hands on them,” said the head of Investigations and Intelligence at the Segev Shalom police station.