Nature and Parks Authority

A hidden underwater world: Rare rays spotted off the Galilee coast

Rangers documented dozens of endangered marbled stingrays gathering off Shavei Zion Beach, possibly for courtship. The Nature and Parks Authority urges the public to keep their distance.

Marbled stingray off the coast of Israel.
The New Trail at Tel Shikmona National Park.

3,500 years of history: Haifa’s oldest site reopens

David Waterfall.

Floodwaters erased the trail – now it returns: Ein Gedi prepares for Sukkot

Brown sea turtle returns to the sea.

Sea levels rising: The new threat that could displace sea turtles from Israel's beaches


Israel's Ein Gedi nature reserve denies entry to blind man's guide dog

A 53-year-old blind man says he was denied entry to Ein Gedi because of his guide dog. The Israel Nature and Parks Authority says "The ibexes are scared of dogs."

"If the place is dangerous then no one is allowed in. We don't leave some outside and some inside," Aryeh Brander, a 53, stated.

Eighteen sea turtles released back into the wild after medical treatment

The 17 brown sea turtles and one rare green sea turtle underwent rehabilitation at the Nature and Parks Authority's rescue center after they washed up on shore last winter.

 One of the sea turtles that underwent treatment and was released back into the sea.

Israel Border Police, Parks Authority seize 80 protected species worth thousands of shekels

The majority of seized animals were pythons, some of which were a danger to humans and Israeli nature.

One of the exotic animals seized by Israel Border Police in Tur'an.

Israel Police arrest man for illegal trafficking of python snakes

The animals were found held in violation of the law, in conditions deemed to be "ignominious," police said. He was also missing a permit for the possession and trade of pythons.

 Python seized by Israeli authorities from a suspect who was reportedly holding it illegally.

Israeli environmental, insect experts battle invasive fire ants

Israel's Environmental Protection Ministry and the Nature and Parks Authority have launched a national effort to monitor fire ants to combat their spread.

 Fire ant under microscope.

Underwater robot spots guitarfish in Eilat, Israel

An underwater robot sent by Israeli researchers to the depths of the sea of ​​the Gulf of Eilat recently discovered a guitarfish.

 A guitarfish is seen in captivity at the Georgia Aquarium (Illustrative).

Israel Police seize rare, exotic, dangerous animals in black market raid

The animals seized are worth tens of thousands of shekels, some of which were dangerous, could transmit zoonotic disease, were invasive species or just illegally smuggled into Israel.

 A cat-eyed snake rescued following an Israel Police black market raid, on March 14, 2023.

A total of 140,000 Israelis visit nature reserves over the weekend as weather warms

The parks held various educational activities for guests to learn more about the flora and fauna they held. 

 YEHUDIYA Nature Reserve.

Lion cub found being held illegally in center of Israel

Border Police detectives worked to find the cub after videos of it in various locations were posted on social media in the last few weeks.

 Abu Malek the lion cub is found in an apartment in the center of Israel.

Colorado bear takes 400 selfies with wildlife camera in one night

A black bear has amused experts with 400 selfies, using a motion-detection camera.

 Bear 480, Otis, after several months of packing on the pounds.