The Israel Border Police located a gazelle which had been illegally caught and kept in a basement near Jenin, the police announced on Wednesday.
The police stated that, overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, Border Police officers, accompanied by supervisors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA), infiltrated the area in order to locate the gazelle.
The gazelle was found in the basement of a private residence in the area, the police said.
One suspect was detained for questioning, and security forces intend to file an indictment against them on suspicion of hunting and holding a wild animal illegally.
The police also said that the gazelle was taken to be checked over by a veterinarian, and is expected to be transferred to a safari in Ramat Gan.
Lion cubs illegally trafficked to Israel transferred to South Africa
Last week, two lion cubs, Ben Tzur and Uri, who were rescued last year after being illegally trafficked into Israel, were transferred to a big-cat sanctuary in South Africa, the INPA announced.
The two lions arrived at the Animal Defenders International (ADI) sanctuary in South Africa after a 30-hour journey that included a stopover in Germany. They were released into their new enclosure on Wednesday.
Ben Tzur and Uri are two of six lion cubs rescued in 2025 after being illegally smuggled into Israel and later found in areas under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.