Israeli conservationists have released three critically endangered hawksbill turtles into the Red Sea to help restore the wild population of this threatened species, according to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. The three female turtles—Nova and Israel, both 25, and Yael, 27—were raised at an underwater observatory in Eilat and were released after reaching maturity.
Each turtle was equipped with a satellite transmitter attached to its shell, allowing their movements to be tracked and monitored publicly on the Wildlife Computers website.
Shortly after their release, one turtle was seen stopping at a coral reef, likely in search of food. Hawksbill turtles are omnivorous and particularly enjoy soft corals and sea sponges, as noted by the Nature and Parks Authority. Aviv Levy from Eilat’s Underwater Observatory Marine Park remarked, “One of the things we need to know is how a turtle that has lived its whole life in captivity will survive in the wild.”
Classified as “critically endangered” by the World Wildlife Fund, there are an estimated 8,000 adult nesting females globally, with only a few dozen believed to reside in Eilat Bay, according to the Nature and Parks Authority. These turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy coral reefs by removing sponges and allowing fish better access to feed.
Unfortunately, hawksbill turtles face threats from encounters with boats, entanglement in fishing nets, and hunting for their shells, which have pushed them to the brink of extinction.
The following link is footage of their release, much needed good news during such hard times:
