A Palestinian resident of the Jerusalem area has been charged with trafficking, possession and harming protected wildlife after attempting to sell a lion cub for $14,140. The indictment was filed by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority in a military court.
Lion cubs at the park
(Video: Hay Park)
According to the indictment, last April, the defendant purchased a lion cub, a protected wildlife species, from another individual. He bought the cub with the intention of selling it for profit and kept it in his backyard. WhatsApp messages found on his phone revealed that he had offered to sell the lion cub for at least $14,140. He also offered to sell other wild animals, including a leopard and monkeys.
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The indictment also accuses the defendant of possession, carrying and trafficking of weapons. It alleges that he purchased an M-16 rifle for $9,050 and later sold it, with the weapon eventually ending up in Palestinian Authority territory. The Palestinian suspect was arrested earlier this month, and his detention was extended pending further proceedings. The indictment was filed after he admitted during questioning to possessing the lion cub, although the animal itself could not be located.
This marks the first indictment filed in the case of lion cub trafficking. Police and officials from the Nature and Parks Authority have successfully located five lion cubs across the country. It was recently decided that the cubs would remain at the Kiryat Motzkin Hay Park in northern Israel.
Attorney Karem Munir, a prosecutor for the Nature and Parks Authority, said it is an unusual case. “This is an exceptional case involving trafficking in weapons and rare, protected wildlife," Munir said. "According to the indictment, the defendant traded in arms and also kept a lion cub in his home, attempting to sell it for tens of thousands. This is an unusual and highly dangerous incident for wildlife, the defendant’s family, and the local residents. The Nature and Parks Authority will work to ensure that justice is served and to prevent harm to protected wildlife and natural resources.”