About two years ago, when the corona was at its peak in Israel, 12-year-old Elsa Barak from Tel Aviv celebrated a bat mitzvah and decided that she would dedicate all the gift money she received as well as all her time in a special project that was all about donating sea turtles.
Elsa's whole family enlisted and began various activities for the sea turtles - from cleaning beaches, through frequent visits to the Sea Turtle Rescue Center, setting up a donation site and a mass fundraising campaign, printing the project's shirts and hats for the turtle rescue and more.
Elsa Barak against the background of the release of the "Elsa" post, Photo: Dafna Barak
Last August she arrived at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center, a wounded brown tortoise caught with a fishing hook.
The fisherman who accidentally hit the tortoise immediately reported to the Nature and Parks Authority hotline, which is what can be saved.
The placement underwent an in-depth diagnosis and X-rays and it was found that the hook was deep in her esophagus so it was decided to enter for surgery.
After a period of treatment and rehabilitation of several months, during which the young activist Elsa Barak accompanied the recovery process, the placement was found healthy and ready for release back to the sea.
It was decided to give the tortoise the name "Elsa".
Last weekend at a good and successful time Elsa was released to the sea healthy and intact by the Sea Turtle Rescue Center, the Nature and Heritage Preservation Foundation, the Nature and Parks Authority and of course Elsa Barak and her family who came to the beach with many Elsa friends who were very excited about the class.
Release of the "Elsa" post back to the sea, Photo: Dafna Barak
The installation was released into the sea when a satellite transmitter was placed on its armor to help learn about the movement of the brown sea turtle population, which is in danger of extinction.
Also, the knowledge gained from this follow-up will contribute to research on the functioning of sea turtles recovering from vulnerability when they return to their natural environment.
The GPS transmitter was donated by Elsa and her family thanks to the Bat Mitzvah project.
Installing a transmitter on a turtle is not a cheap matter and the cost of the transmitter installed on Elsa's installation is about six thousand shekels.
