Israel Sea Turtle Rescue Center, National Nature and Parks Authority
The Sea Turtle Directory
Country: Israel
Organization / Project Name: The National Nature and Parks Authority/ Israel's Sea Turtle Rescue Center
Website: https://www.seaturtles.parks.org.il/tracking-project-en
Email: israelseaturtle@npa.org.il
Description: The center was established in 1999 by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, the agency responsible for the protection of wildlife in Israel, with the goal of rehabilitating injured sea turtles and returning them to the wild after their recovery. Since its establishment the center has cared for more than 1000 individuals, mainly loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles, softshell turtles, Western Caspian turtles and even five dolphins. About 70% were released to the open sea. The rescue center works to rehabilitate local populations of sea turtles in a variety of ways: physical protection of eggs laid on the beaches, fostering and maintaining reproductive group of green sea turtles, surveys and research, education, public relations and raising awareness in the media and holding guided tours for the public. We especially note that the treatment and rehabilitation of the turtles depends greatly on the help of our volunteers. At the moment, the place is under constructions and there are therefore not open to the public yet. Estimated to be ready in 2024.
Species of focus: Loggerheads (Caretta caretta), Green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Leatherbacks (Dermochelys coriacea), Hawksbills (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Volunteer program: Yes
Tourist activities (Y/N): No
Primary Areas of Work: Environmental education/community outreach, Genetic sampling, Fisheries bycatch reduction / management, Beach protection, Nesting beach monitoring, Toxin sampling, Policy, Satellite telemetry
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/IsraelSeaTurtleRescueCenter/
Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/p/B9BqbUuBRYM/?igshid=1xzrkl0hcnliz