Dozens of protected natural values have been rescued in recent days from a seawater pumping cistern to facilities on Eilat's northern shore, after being pumped into it through a pipe.
In a joint activity between Nature and Parks Authority inspectors and employees of the Underwater Observatory in Eilat, various fish were returned to nature such as the Dor emperor, parrot, reef wand, several yellow-mouthed moraines, the Dor Zaharon, three double-antched crabs and a number of lark sea urchins. The protected natural values have been returned to the sea to their natural environment.
Crabs on the coral reef in the Gulf of Aqaba, photo: Omri Omsi - Israel Nature and Parks Authority
The animals probably reached the pumping pit in their earlier stages of development, some even in the larval stage, which is an initial and tiny stage of development. Later, they grew up in the pumping pit.
Omri Omsi, inspector of the marine unit at the Nature and Parks Authority, said: "It is very important to save nature values and to cooperate with the observatory's team of divers, led by Scientific Director Aviv Levy. We returned the animals to the coral reserve to allow them to return to their natural environment and find shelter among the corals."
The Nature and Parks Authority asked that in case you encounter an injured or distressed wild animal, call the RTG hotline at *3639.
Coral Reef in the Gulf of Aqaba, Photo: Omri Omsi - Israel Nature and Parks Authority
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