Injured ibex returns to Ein Gedi reserve after amputation at Ramat Gan Safari Hospital

Back home, on three legs: A female Nubian ibex was recently returned to the grounds of the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, after undergoing treatment and rehabilitation over the past two months at the Wildlife Hospital at the Ramat Gan Safari.

The ibex was returned to nature after the veterinary team determined that despite the amputation, she is capable of adapting to her new situation and surviving in the wild. Nature and Parks Authority officials now hope she will succeed in re-integrating into the herd and joining her kids.

In July, rangers from the Nature and Parks Authority at the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve noticed the female ibex after one of her hind legs was broken, causing her significant suffering.

The decision to rescue the ibex and take her for treatment was not simple, as she had two young kids at the time. Nevertheless, the professionals understood that without treatment she would likely not survive, so she was anesthetized and transferred to the Wildlife Hospital. Fortunately, the two kids had already been weaned from nursing and were able to eat independently, allowing them to remain with the herd.

"The ibex arrived at the Wildlife Hospital about a month and a half ago and was diagnosed with a complex fracture in her hind leg," said Dr. Nitzan Adam, acting director of the Wildlife Hospital at the Safari. "Such fractures are very difficult to repair in ibexes, but we decided to make every effort to save the leg. She underwent complex orthopedic surgery performed by a specialist surgeon, but unfortunately it later became clear that the leg could not be saved, and we were forced to amputate it."

However, the story did not end there. According to Dr. Adam, the ibex recovered well from the amputation and managed to adapt to her new situation. "Thanks to the experience we have gained in cooperation with the Nature and Parks Authority in rehabilitating and releasing amputee ibexes, we knew she had a good chance of returning to life in the wild. She was fitted with a transmitter, and we will continue to monitor her progress in the wild," he said.

"For us, this is a particularly emotional moment. We are proud to take part in the conservation efforts for the ibex, an impressive and unique species facing significant threats in the wild in Israel. Every such success story is a source of encouragement and motivation for us to continue working on behalf of Israel's wildlife."

As noted, recently the ibex was returned to the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve. Professional teams will continue to track her in the hope that she will successfully integrate into the herd and rejoin her kids. Shai Rosenzweig, a Dead Sea marine reserve coastal ranger at the Nature and Parks Authority who took part in the release, said: "I was deeply moved to release the ibex back into the reserve. I hope hikers who see her will be inspired by her. Her will to live and overcome hardship is heartwarming."

"Seeing a three-legged ungulate is not something that happens every day. The understanding that an animal, despite its disability, can function and be part of the herd is an analogy for our lives as human beings in society: With determination, everything can be overcome. Thanks to the hospital staff and the Authority teams for their help in rescuing the ibex and releasing her today."

The Nature and Parks Authority noted that the Nubian ibex is found in the Middle East and the Arabian Peninsula, and its global population is dwindling, currently estimated at only a few thousand. With the establishment of the state, only a small number of ibexes survived in Israel's desert region, and the local populations suffered mainly from hunting. Thanks to conservation efforts and the prevention of hunting in subsequent years, the ibex population in Israel managed to recover, and today it is considered one of the largest and most protected ibex populations in the world.

Ibexes also have a complex social life. Young or older females will usually give birth to one kid, while mature females in good physical condition and in a food-rich environment may give birth to twins. The kid nurses mainly during the first three weeks of its life and remains in the herd alongside its mother until age two and a half to three. At this stage, young males will usually leave the herd and join "bachelor groups," while females will remain in the herd into which they were born.

Among ibexes, a phenomenon known as "kindergartens" has also been observed, in which several mothers gather the kids in a protected area on the cliffs, while one or two females remain to watch over them. During this time, the other females go down to graze and drink in more dangerous areas. As the kids grow, they can be seen training for adult life: Playing in wrestling matches, imitating the behavior of adult males, and testing their strength against their peers from a young age.

The Nature and Parks Authority reminds the public not to approach, touch, or feed wild animals, even for photography purposes. If you encounter a wild animal, keep your distance and allow it to continue on its way. If you notice an injured or distressed wild animal, or one that poses a danger to hikers, contact the Nature and Parks Authority hotline at *3639.