Unexpected guest at the Ashkelon power station: Wounded sea turtle rescued from the cooling system
Rothenberg power station employees stopped operations and rescued the turtle, which was swept by seawater into the cooling system. An examination revealed it was a young green sea turtle weighing 2.5 kg. It was named "Babchuk" and transferred to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority rescue center for further treatment and rehabilitation.
Employees of the Rothenberg power station of the Israel Electric Corporation rescued a wounded sea turtle today, Tuesday, that had been swept by seawater into the station's cooling system. The turtle was transferred to the National Sea Turtle Rescue Center of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, where it will remain hospitalized for examinations and rehabilitation.
Upon locating the turtle, the employees stopped operations in the area and, in coordination with the rescue center staff, removed it from the cooling system. Until the arrival of a volunteer from the "HaShmartzavot" group in the Nitzanim beach area, the employees kept it in the shade under appropriate conditions and monitored its body temperature.
An examination conducted at the rescue center revealed that it is a young green sea turtle weighing approximately 2.5 kilograms. The turtle, which was named "Babchuk," was found to be active and vital, and will remain at the center for the near future for continued treatment and rehabilitation.
At the Israel Electric Corporation, they explained that a healthy sea turtle is usually able to overcome the water current and is not swept into the cooling system. Therefore, according to them, when a turtle is discovered in the system, it is usually an injured or weakened animal in need of immediate assistance.
At the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, they requested that the public report any sea turtle found in distress to the authority's hotline at *3639 and wait for instructions from the professional teams.
