Categories: Middle East News

Israeli Griffon Vulture Cleared of Spying in Lebanon

The Israeli vulture detained in Lebanon on suspicion of spying for Israel has been returned home after UN peacekeepers intervened.

The huge vulture, which has a 6ft 5in wing span, flew over the border from an Israeli game reserve and was caught by Lebanese villagers on January 26.

They became suspicious as the griffon vulture had a tracking device attached to its tail.

The bird is part of a conservation project to reintroduce raptors to the Middle East.

Wildlife officials say the vulture was brought from Spain in 2015 and set free about a month ago in the Gamla Nature Reserve in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

Tel Aviv University is involved in tracking the bird, and as well as a GPS transmitter, it had tags on its wings and an engraved metal ring on its leg saying: “Tel Aviv Univ Israel”.Israel griffon vulture detained in LebanonIsrael griffon vulture detained in Lebanon

Wildlife officials in Israel were alerted to its capture when photos of the tied-up bird appeared on social media.

“In a discreet operation with the Lebanese and with the great help of UN forces and the UN liaison unit, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority was able to return the vulture that was caught a few days ago by villagers of Bint Jbeil, Lebanon,” an Israeli statement released on January 29 said.

The Lebanese media says the villagers freed the vulture after it became clear it was not on a spying mission.

After its ordeal the vulture was weak and was being treated for minor injuries, officials said.

However, it is not the first time a griffon vulture has been taken to be an agent of the Israeli spy agency Mossad.

Saudi Arabia captured one, also with a Tel Aviv University tracker, in the desert city of Hyaal in 2011, sparking rumors of a “Zionist plot” that were dismissed by Israeli officials.

Roy Siemens

Roy likes politics. Knowledge is power, Roy constantly says, so he spends nearly all day gathering information and writing articles about the latest events around the globe. He likes history and studying about war techniques, this is why he finds writing his articles a piece of cake. Another hobby of his is horse – riding.

Recent Posts

NYC Congestion Pricing Plan Goes into Effect on January 5

New York has become the first US city with a congestion charge scheme for vehicles.…

11 hours ago

Massive Winter Storm Expected to Bring Heavy Snow, Ice, Cold to 25 States

A state of emergency has been declared in the states of Kentucky and Virginia, and…

11 hours ago

Happy New Year 2025: Sydney Welcomes New Year with Fireworks Display

Sydney has welcomed 2025 with a spectacular fireworks display - cheers erupted as the clock struck midnight…

5 days ago

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie Reach Divorce Settlement After 8 Years

Following an eight-year legal battle, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement,…

5 days ago

Former US President Jimmy Carter Dies at 100

Former President Jimmy Carter died on December 29 at the age of 100 after spending several…

5 days ago

Georgia: Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili Refuses to Step Down After Mikheil Kavelashvili’s Inauguration

Georgia’s outgoing president Salome Zourabichvili refused to step down on December 29, saying she was…

1 week ago