The LaTeva Nolad (Born to Nature) report about the
state of wild animals in Israel in 1999 reveals that 27
species of animals have become extinct in Israel -- as well
as in the entire world -- over the last one hundred years. 22
other species that used to live in Israel (as well as some
that merely nested here), did not survive locally; however
they survived in other places.
The report determines that the main reasons for various
species' extinction in Israel are: unrestricted hunting,
poisoning of particular animals which sets off chain
reactions, man's intrusion such as earthwork, laying of high
voltage electrical wiring, and the activity of planes and
helicopters near animals' nesting places.
Among the species which have become extinct in Israel due to
unrestricted hunting are: fallow-deer, Carmel deer, white
ram, lion, bear, panther, and the Neziri sea-dog, last seen
in Israel in 1953. Many species are on the verge of
extinction due to uncontrolled hunting, such as the forest
tanin, ostrich, wild goat, mane-sheep, desert stag, and the
Nubian mountain goat. The tiger is also an the verge of
extinction, and today there are only 6-10 tigers in the
entire Judean Desert.
Recently legislation was proposed to forbid recreational
hunting. The law would empower the Nature and Park
Preservation Authority to permit hunting for environment or
health reasons only (such as the curbing of endemic diseases)
based on professional assessments by Authority's experts.
