The incident of a predatory animal infiltrating from Egypt and attacking Israeli soldiers on the border between the two countries continues to generate significant controversy.

Several days ago, Israeli media reported that a predatory Egyptian lynx attacked a number of Israeli soldiers on the border between the two countries, sustaining varying degrees of injuries. The media questioned how the animal arrived at the site and the reasons for the attack.

Israeli media reported a suspected lynx bite on soldiers near the Egyptian border, specifically in the Mount Harif area. The media added that a rare predatory animal called a lynx was captured by an inspector from the Nature and Reserves Authority who arrived at the scene after receiving the report.

She added that the reserve inspector caught the animal and it turned out to be an Egyptian lynx. It was then transferred to a specialized hospital for examination.

The lynx, or wild cat, is a medium-sized predator, ranging in length from 60 to 130 centimeters, and relies on its speed of up to 80 kilometers per hour to hunt.

The lynx inhabits the desert, preferring dry areas with low rainfall. It feeds on small animals such as rabbits, rodents, and birds. It has the ability to climb and jump high, which helps it hunt birds or animals in trees.

The infiltration of animals from Egypt into Israel raises numerous concerns among Israelis. In 2022, Israeli scientists issued a warning about the spread of the Egyptian gecko, known as the "Abu Bris," in the Wadi Araba region in the south of the country, threatening the country's ecosystem.

The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth published a report stating that the Nature and Parks Authority is seeking assistance from local residents of the Arava Valley in locating Egyptian geckos and lizards that have begun to spread throughout the region, multiplying at an alarming rate and devouring agricultural crops.

Shai Meiri, a professor of science at Tel Aviv University, said that Egyptian lizards and geckos can devour anything and overcome resistance, and have the potential to cause significant damage to any ecosystem. He emphasized that the Israel Nature and Parks Authority is seeking help from residents in locating these species in preparation for their containment and prevention of further spread.

He said that Egyptian lizards have been observed eating small birds, adding that they are considered an extremely aggressive species, bite forcefully, and reproduce rapidly.

Merry added that his assessment confirmed that these Egyptian geckos and lizards have wiped out all local geckos and have become a threat to Israel's environmental situation, threatening to consume all agricultural crops.

According to the report, the Nature and Parks Authority was unable to determine how the species traveled all the way to the Arava Valley, prompting it to seek assistance from local residents.

Source: Al Arabiya Net