The bodies meant to protect animals – the Nature and Parks Authority, Ministry of Agriculture, Haifa Municipality, and police – coordinate among themselves to issue permits for killing wild boars. Instead of serving as animal protectors, the authorities are signing documents sanctioning their killing. Shooting takes place in central urban areas, without proper supervision, ignoring animal suffering and danger to residents. While authorities change terminology from "killing" to "euthanasia", the reality on the ground shows systematic extermination of wild animals when there's no one to protect them from those who should have been their guardians.
Beyond the obvious absurdity, while the Nature and Parks Authority is responsible for preserving natural values and biological heritage in Israel, it has been revealed that it sanctions the extermination of wild boars in Haifa's urban space, causing public anger and sharp criticism.
An investigation conducted by the "Maakav" editorial team revealed that the authority permits shooting wild boars in populated urban areas without police presence or proper supervision. The killing is indiscriminate – from young to adult animals – with some animals left wounded and suffering. Thus, animal killers, that is hunters, receive monetary compensation for each animal carcass whose life they took, creating a criminal incentive to expand the circle of slaughter among defenseless animals.
In response to "Maakav's" inquiry, senior Nature and Parks Authority manager Adi Nazri stated: "The killing of boars in Haifa municipality territory is carried out according to law and has been reviewed by court more than once. Let's hope for better times." The response ending with "let's hope for better times" raises questions about its nature – is it irony, satire, or mockery? The absurdity is amplified by the helplessness of animals while the agency responsible for their protection shows shocking indifference to their fate. The bewilderment intensifies given that millions of shekels from public funds are directed to an organization that has not only abandoned its purpose as an animal protector but has turned into an instrument sanctioning their extermination.
Moreover, an official inquiry sent to the authority on July 1, 2024, received a response only in February 2025 – a period significantly exceeding the standard requiring response within 30 days. The response letter stated: "Your inquiry 22380 from 01.07.2024 regarding wild animals/protected natural values – boars has been received."
A bureaucratic miracle revealed: The Nature and Parks Authority needed an excessive period of seven months to formulate a brief response of thirty words. An agency that doesn't feel urgency to respond to public outcry in the face of animal killing demonstrates "impressive efficiency" in the pace of providing responses to outraged public inquiries.
An extensive series of investigations conducted by the "Maakav" editorial team led to the discovery of serious violations, the main one being illegal sale of wild boar meat in Haifa, carried out without veterinary checks and necessary regulatory permits. Additionally, systematic violations of official agreements and inefficient management of public budgets were revealed – all within the scandalous handling of the wild boar problem. Despite this, the Nature and Parks Authority refrains from addressing the issue. Shooting boars within city limits presents a danger to society and raises serious questions about the agency's functioning as a body responsible for wildlife protection.
Instead of protecting animals, it appears the authority prefers to change terminology from "killing" to "euthanasia" – a semantic change that doesn't obscure the harsh reality on the ground. The gap between the agency's stated purpose and its actual actions causes concern among animal rights activists and environmental organizations.
The authority's decision to permit killing boars in urban areas, without proper supervision and without considering ecological and safety consequences, raises questions about its commitment to both wildlife protection and public safety.
Unfortunately, wild boar hunting is a widespread activity worldwide that sometimes leads to severe accidents and human casualties. Here are several well-documented cases:
– In France in 2017, a 59-year-old hunter died during a hunt in the southwestern region when shot by his companion who mistook him for a wild boar.
– In Italy in 2018, a 55-year-old man was killed by his own son during wild boar hunting in Sardinia. The son tragically mistook his father for a wild boar.
– In the USA in 2019, in Texas, a 26-year-old man died from his friend's shot during hunting. The friend noticed movement in the bushes and hastily shot without checking the target.
– In Croatia in 2020, a 34-year-old hunter died during wild boar hunting when one of his colleagues accidentally shot him.
– In October 2024, in Cassine (Reggio Emilia province), 68-year-old Marco Gentili was shot while collecting chestnuts in Belvigno forest. Wild boar hunting was taking place at the time, and it's presumed one of the hunters accidentally hit him, likely due to thick fog. Law enforcement began investigating the circumstances of the manslaughter.
– In January 2025, in Prezzile Cosentina, 53-year-old worker Pierluigi Melizia received a fatal head wound during wild boar hunting in the Canale area. A 70-year-old hunt participant misidentified and killed him. The hunter faced court on manslaughter charges.
– In January 2025, in Sessa Aurunca (Caserta province), 69-year-old experienced hunter Antonio Padulona received severe injuries from an accidental shot from his companion's weapon during hunting. Despite immediate medical attention, he died from severe wounds.
We warn of an impending disaster in Haifa! Hunting is conducted without proper police supervision, with those shooting at wild boars unaware of the possibility of people behind bushes.
It is regrettable that in the State of Israel, laws are passed or safety measures established only after bloodshed – the experience of other countries is not considered and media warnings are ignored.
