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Last update - 04:58 07/03/2008 Nine black market turtles seized in Bethlehem By Zafrir Rinat, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Bethlehem, tortoise, Israel  Environmental inspectors conducting a routine inspection of hazardous waste treatment at a factory in Bethlehem were stunned to discover a crate containing nine tortoises that had apparently been taken from the wild illegally for commercial purposes. The inspectors, from the civil administration in the territories, turned the tortoises over to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. People who hunt the animals in order to sell them are one of the two greatest threats facing the local tortoise, whose population has declined markedly in recent years. The other is damage to their breeding grounds due to development. Advertisement According to Boaz Shaham of the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, tortoises are frequently smuggled into Jordan, and thence to Europe, where they are in great demand among breeders. If an illegally caught tortoise is found, Shaham added, it is critical to obtain information from the hunters about where they caught it so that it can be released in the wild in an appropriate environment. Related articles: The tortoise and the care The green groups' dilemma: How to save the environment without harming agriculture Bezet Stream: A wild beauty in the Western Galilee dries up Nature authority seeks to declare underwater areas reserves Bookmark to del.icio.us   From Pyongyang N. Korea expresses hope for stronger ties with Syria. Peres in Paris Pres. tells Le Figaro Israel won't act alone to halt Iran.

Today Online Palestinians: Hamas, Hezbollah cooperated on Jerusalem attack Responses: 69 Intel chiefs to present cabinet with grim scenarios for 2008 Responses: 14 Zvi Bar'el: Make Syria a partner in the war on terror Send response Gideon Levy: Mercaz Harav produced Zionism's vilest rabbis Send response Editorial: Peace now, or eternal conflict later Send response Rosner's Domain Whose Jerusalem Is It, anyway? Poll: Should Abbas and Olmert continue their talks? An Israeli and a crocodile (WTR) The Israel Factor: What's wrong with Obama? Rosner's Mailbox: Stop focusing on Israel's favorability polls More Headlines 10:37 IDF soldier hurt in Gaza border ambush dies of his wounds 09:54 Palestinians: Hamas, Hezbollah cooperated on Jerusalem terror attack 02:59 ANALYSIS / J'lem attack doesn't signal start of third intifada 07:06 Intel chiefs to present cabinet with grim scenarios for 2008 09:22 For stricken yeshiva, trauma of terror attack likely to linger 07:22 Jewish Agency to start anti-terror drive after J'lem attack 09:33 Rishon Letzion man stabs wife to death as daughter, 12, looks on 09:13 Study: Young American Jews are not detached from Israel 02:25 Saudi's top cleric warns against giving to al-Qaida linked charities 04:40 Peretz wants Ayalon to join him in Labor Party challenge to Barak Previous Editions Select Day 07 mar 06 mar 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb 28 feb 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb

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