Four masked gunmen stole a lion cub and two Arabic-speaking parrots from a Gaza zoo recently, said Palestinian police chief and local media reports.

The zoo's chairman of the board Suod al-Shawwa told Palestinian newspapers the men, carrying Kalashnikovs, tied up the zoo keeper before abducting the parrots, reports Reuters

He said they used blankets in an attempt to take two lion cubs, but only got away with one.

"They wrapped the lion cub in a blanket and took him away," Shawwa said.

Palestinian police are investigating the theft. Shawwa has promised a $1,000 reward to anyone who finds the animals.