Yesterday (Wednesday), what began as a routine morning at Tel Dor beach near Atlit turned into a dramatic event when Carol Carmi, a resident of Nahsholim and a volunteer with the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, encountered a rare sight: “Suddenly, I saw a very large turtle on the rocks in the shallow water, looking severely distressed,” Carmi recounted. “I immediately realized it was a leatherback sea turtle, a species almost never seen on Israel’s shores.”
The turtle, estimated to weigh about 300 kilograms and measure around 2 meters in length, was in serious condition. Its left front flipper was severed, and its right front flipper was entangled in a fishing line.
Thanks to her experience as a volunteer at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center, Carmi knew exactly how to act. “I immediately called the Nature and Parks Authority staff at the beach, who then alerted the rescue center team in Mikhmoret,” she explained.
Rotem Sade, Northern Area Marine Manager and Inspector at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, emphasized the importance of professional care: “It’s very important not to try to remove fishing lines from sea turtles without proper training. It can be dangerous for both the turtle and the person.”
The turtle was transported to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Mikhmoret, where it was discovered that, in addition to injuries to its flippers, it also suffered from a head injury. Yaniv Levy, the center’s director, explained: “This is a rare and exciting event. We are providing supportive care to the turtle, but it’s important to remember that most of the rehabilitation is done by the turtle itself. They are incredibly resilient creatures.”
The rescue team plans to administer antibiotics to the turtle, now named “Dor,” before attempting to remove the fishing line to prevent further complications.
The leatherback turtle, native to the Atlantic Ocean, has been sighted in Israel only about 35 times in the past 70 years. It is the largest marine reptile in the world and the only one without a hard shell.
Levy emphasizes: “The appearance of a leatherback turtle on our shores is a rare event. Unfortunately, in most cases, these turtles are found dead when they wash ashore.”
The Israel Nature and Parks Authority reminds the public: If you encounter a sea turtle in distress, do not attempt to handle it yourself. Call the authority’s emergency line at *3639 and wait for professional assistance.
The story of “Dor” highlights the many dangers facing sea turtles, especially leatherback turtles. One of the main threats to their population is the ingestion of plastic bags, which they mistake for jellyfish, their primary food source.
However, the rescue of “Dor” serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving nature and the marine environment, and it underscores our ability to make a positive impact when we act wisely and responsibly.
