On Friday (10/12/21) a female brown sea turtle named "Kirin" will be released at the Bonim Beach Reserve
Karin, who weighs 24 kg, arrived at the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center in October, after she was found floating in the sea in front of Haifa, unable to dive. Karin Gron, who was sailing towards Tel Aviv, said that they saw several sea turtles during the voyage, and they all dived as soon as the yacht passed in the area. The vessel "Kirin" was unable to dive and they immediately realized that something was wrong with her, brought her on board and reported to the Nature and Parks Authority Hotline 3639*.
"Kirin" platypus is being treated at the sea turtle rescue center watch
After a conversation with the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center, Nachshon Marine Works Ltd. took a boat out and collected the turtle from the yacht and from there, Rotem Sde, a marine inspector of the Nature and Parks Authority, transferred the turtle to the rescue center for treatment.
The rescue center tells about the treatment of "Kirin":
"We hypothesize that Karin was hit by a vessel that caused a rupture in the lung. The rupture in the lung created an air cavity that prevented the lung from returning to its natural shape and instead contracted and did not function. After a radiological diagnosis using a CT machine by Dr. Tzachi Eisenberg at the "Kal Chai" veterinary clinic, we were able to identify its size and the exact location of the cavity and perform a suction of 3.5 liters of air from the detected cavity. In a subsequent CT scan, it appears that the lung has returned to full function and the patient has been rehabilitated."
Kirin at the sea turtle rescue center watch
placement 'Lola'
Another female brown sea turtle, named "Lola", weighing 22 kg, arrived at the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center in November after being accidentally caught on 2 fishing hooks in the Akhziv area. Fortunately, the fisherman immediately reported to the Nature and Parks Authority hotline 3639*, and the turtle was brought to the center The National for the Rescue of Sea Turtles by the Gevint family who volunteer for sea turtles and nature conservation at every possible opportunity.
The young daughters of the family, Neely (11) and Alma (8), gave "Lola" her name. "This is not the first time we transport an injured sea turtle to the rescue center, but it is the first time we transport such a huge turtle!" Daganit Gevint, the mother of the family, said excitedly.
Fishing hooks are one of the common causes of injury among sea turtles in our area. The sea turtles are caught on the hook, after they approach the bait attached to the hook and bite it. Life is at risk when the hook punctures the digestive system and causes bleeding and infections in the chest and abdominal cavity, or when the fishing line remains attached to the hook and wraps around the limbs and neck, causing necrosis or suffocation. In other cases, the turtle swallows the fishing line itself, which can cause a fatal intestinal obstruction.
"Lola" underwent an in-depth diagnosis at the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center and X-rays and CT by Dr. Tzachi Eisenberg at the "Kal Chai" veterinary clinic. It was found that the 2 hooks are not deep in the esophagus, so the rescue center's therapists were able to remove them using a special device through the mouth. When placed under anesthetics, but without surgery.
During the rehabilitation period of the turtles at the rescue center, they receive a pool with a flow of clean sea water, appropriate food, and monitoring that also includes documentation of the provision of feces. Rescue center volunteers and staff were horrified to discover an old hook that came out in "Lola's" feces, which indicates another hook injury in the past that was not treated.
After a treatment and rehabilitation period of about two months at the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center, "Lola" and "Kirin" are healthy and ready to be released back into the sea.
The members of the Gevint family conclude: "There is nothing like seeing and helping up close, to understand how great and important the contribution of each of us is. How good it is that there is a happy ending to Lola's story," and Kirin Groen adds with a smile, "We saved the sheep "Kirin" at the very last moment, we came out heroes ".
Did you find an injured sea turtle? Call *3639
The rescue center thanks all the turtle rescuers, as well as the fisherman who reported "Lola" and asks the fishing community: if a sea turtle accidentally lands on your fishing rod, do not cut the fishing line and do not release the turtle into the sea! Immediately call the hotline of the Nature and Parks Authority *3639.
A sea turtle that has swallowed a hook is in pain and exposed to many dangers - releasing it into the sea may be a death sentence for it. Also, please - do not leave hooks on the beach or in the sea.
Did you find an injured or dead sea turtle on the beach? Please report immediately to the Nature and Parks Authority hotline 3639*, along with a photo of the turtle and exact location. After the report, bring the injured turtle to the rescue center, or wait next to it until an inspector/volunteer from the Nature and Parks Authority arrives.