Tel Aviv Sanitation Workers Find Sick Turtle in Trash Can

Sanitation workers in Tel Aviv were surprised to discover a marsh turtle inside a water bucket within a garbage bin near the city's central bus station. The workers, Niv Benou, Chico Shapani, and Sharon Cohen, rescued the turtle and brought it to their department's offices. With the help of Yoel Daniel, the work station manager, and guidance from the Nature and Parks Authority's hotline, the team transported the turtle to the wildlife hospital at the Ramat Gan Safari.

At the hospital, veterinarians identified the reptile as a marsh turtle suffering from a severe fungal infection on its shell, which had begun to rot. They estimate the turtle was illegally kept in a private home under poor conditions, lacking cleanliness and proper nutrition. Such conditions often lead to fungal or bacterial infections, likely causing the turtle's shell to decay and leading to it being discarded.

The hospital is making efforts to save the turtle, which is in critical condition. Ben Rosenberg, director of the Nature and Parks Authority's Animal and Plant Protection Division, stated, "Marsh turtles can be found in many water bodies across the country. They are prohibited from private ownership; their place is in nature. This case starkly illustrates what happens to wildlife, especially marsh turtles, due to improper private keeping." He thanked the observant Tel Aviv municipality workers and all collaborating organizations for their efforts to save the turtle.

Marsh turtles are reptiles with shells up to 23 cm long, found in Israel in the north and center. They inhabit marshes, rivers, lakes, fish ponds, and even polluted water sources, feeding on aquatic plants, fish, amphibians, algae, mollusks, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. Their global distribution spans from North Africa to Europe.