In the Yakon area, a swamp cat with kittens was recorded during the day. Watch

Alon Reichman, an inspector with the Nature and Parks Authority who is in charge of investigating the issue, added that marsh cats are also active during the day, but they tend to be more active during the day near bushes or vegetation, so it is usually more difficult to see them during the day. “In Israel, they are mainly active near moist habitats because of the amount and abundance of food in these habitats (in less arid areas where food is more abundant, such as India, they also live in forests, which is why they are called jungle cats in English),” he said. “Now, they can also be seen in agricultural areas where prey is abundant. Their habitat is small, but when they migrate to new areas, they can swim great distances. The one we tagged in Tichha migrated as far as 24 kilometers from the Jordan Valley.” . Marsh cats have disappeared from some areas of Israel due to the reduction and fragmentation of moist habitats in Israel. Even if they appear in agricultural areas, they need natural areas nearby. Maintaining ecological corridors will allow them to return to areas where they disappeared or their populations have declined.”

The Nature and Parks Authority added that the area with the highest density of marsh cats in Israel is Emek Hula, where there are dozens of marsh cats. Densities are lower in Beqiha and around the Sea of ​​Galilee. Populations are relatively high along the lower Jordan River and around fish ponds. It is estimated that about 600 individuals live in Israel.