Police in Tel Aviv have arrested a 63-year-old man after finding a previously reported stolen kangaroo joey in his apartment. The animal disappeared on Thursday from the Gan Garoo Zoo in Kibbutz Nir David, near the city of Beit Shean.
According to police, two men broke into the zoo on Wednesday night and stole a rare albino red-necked wallaby. Wallabies belong to the kangaroo family but are significantly smaller than their relatives, rarely reaching a height of one meter.
After zoo employees discovered the theft, they reported it to the police. An investigation was launched, which quickly led to a breakthrough. The trail led them to Tel Aviv. When officers entered the suspect’s apartment, they found not only the joey but also other exotic animals, the Israeli news site Times of Israel reported on Thursday.
Whether the owner acquired these animals legally is part of the investigation. Police took a 63-year-old man who was present at the scene into custody on Thursday and called in veterinarians. The baby kangaroo has since been returned to the zoo.
Australian Zoo in Israel
“Gan Garoo” was founded in July 1996 and is a member of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). The zoo specializes in Australian wildlife and is licensed by Australian authorities. It participates in breeding programs to help conserve endangered species.
The kangaroos, for which the zoo is named, roam freely in a large area of approximately 1.6 hectares. With more than 60 animals, it is home to the largest group of kangaroos in Israel.
