Nature and Parks Authority

12 years after the oil spill: What is happening in the Avrona Nature Reserve now?

Following Israel's massive 2014 EAPC oil spill, complex rehabilitation begins at Avrona Nature Reserve, evacuating 30,000 tons of contaminated soil.

Alongside its toxicity, the oil created a hard, impermeable layer on the ground. The Avrona oil spill disaster.
(Left) Israeli woman is seen in Jericho, in Area A, before being escorted back to sovreign Israel by security forces on August 18. (Right) A monkey is seen in a Jericho home before being rescued by Israeli security forces on August 17.

Authorities rescue Israeli shoppers, seize illegal monkey from residence in Jericho, West Bank

The British waterworks at Yarkon National Park.

After decades in darkness: Tel Afek's historic underground waterworks opens to public

"We welcome the renewal of the service center." The renovated entrance to Tel Dan

Tel Dan Nature Reserve damaged by missile in war; here is how it looks after restoration


Border Police rescue illegally held gazelle from basement in private home near Jenin

The police stated that, overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, Border Police officers, accompanied by supervisors from the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, infiltrated the area.

A gazelle being illegally held in a basement near Jenin, August 11, 2026.

Authorities seize thousands of stolen artifacts in raid on antiquities smuggler's home in West Bank

Trading in antiquities without a permit and searching for antiquities without a license using a metal detector are all criminal offenses under Israeli law.

Ancient coins seized during raid on home of suspected antiquities smuggler, July 28, 2026.

Returned from the beach in Ashdod, and discovered a whole family of birds of prey

A Nature and Parks Authority employee received a unique glimpse into the lives of a whole family of little owls – an impressive small nocturnal bird of prey.

"After a few minutes I saw movement near the male, and then a female appeared at his side along with four fledglings"

Rare gemstone discovered by 12-year-old boy during archaeological dig in ancient Jewish village

Dig director Dr. Achia Kohn-Tavorn from Ariel University identified the stone as a Nicolo, a type of agate stone often used in jewelry and signet rings by the Romans as a symbol of wealth.

Twelve-year-old Alon Horwitz who discovered an ancient gemstone at Korazim National Park in the Galilee, June 1, 2026.

'Graceful dancing giants': Divers spot five manta rays swimming through Eilat Bay

Manta rays are cartilage fish that can reach an impressive wingspan of about seven meters, and despite their impressive size, are known as "gentle giants" and are not dangerous to humans. 

Manta ray spotted in Eilat Bay, April 21, 2026.

Animal rights organization urges Nature and Parks Authority to cease shooting of stray dogs

According to data obtained by Let the Animals Live, the Nature and Parks Authority killed approximately 1,300 stray dogs in 2025, an increase from the 794 killed in 2024.

Stray dogs in Israel

Sperm whale found dead on Israeli beach near Gaza border, cause of death unknown

The cause of death has yet to be determined; experts from the University of Haifa and the Delphis Association for Marine Animals are expected to conduct an autopsy in the coming days. 

A mother sperm whale and her calf off the coast of Mauritius.

Thousands go hiking in Israel as fallout from severe weather raises flood risk

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority warned that water levels in streams and rivers across the country have risen following recent rainfall, and several parks are closed due to flood risk.

A rainbow is seen over the Hula Nature Reserve in northern Israel following a winter rain, January 13, 2026.

Itamar Shlesinger's remains found after two years near Ein Hod in northern Israel

Shlesinger, a 33-year-old from Haifa, went missing on September 22, 2023, after being involved in a car accident in the Ein Hod area of the Carmel.

Itamar Shlesinger.

Extremely rare softshelled turtle Shalom rescued from Jordan River after becoming entangled in wire

Shalom was found with wire around his snout and an X-ray revealed he swallowed two fishing hooks.

Shalom, the softshelled turtle rescued from the Jordan River.