Israel Honors Slain Nature Lover Ohad Yahalomi With Scorpion Exhibit

Ohad Yahalomi, who was abducted from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and murdered in Hamas captivity, is being honored by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority. Yahalomi, a renowned naturalist and author of "The Scorpions of Israel," was known for his fascination with creatures that evoke fear in others. His widow, Bat Sheva Yahalomi, who is an educator, is working to preserve his legacy, stating, "He loved these small creatures that everyone shuns." She explained that scorpions became his tool for education, nature exploration, and changing people's perceptions of commonly feared animals.

The Israel Nature and Parks Authority is launching a special poster featuring a QR code that leads to "The Great Scorpion Quiz," created by Bat Sheva Yahalomi in Hebrew and Arabic. The quiz aims to educate the public on topics such as scorpion venom, the danger posed by different colored scorpions, and their diet. The poster, which will also be shared with the Ministry of Education, illustrates various scorpion species found across Israel, highlighting their diversity and importance in the ecosystem.

"What's important to us is that Ohad's work continues after him, that his memory lives on. I am sure he would have been very pleased with the result," said Bat Sheva. The poster was illustrated by Tuvia Koratz and developed in collaboration with Dr. Assaf Tsoar, Director of the Environment Department at the Nature and Parks Authority, Dr. Yoram Zvik from the Israel Scorpion Research Center, and Professor Efrat Gabish-Regev from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

Mazi Magnaji, Director of Public Relations at the Nature and Parks Authority, added, "Ohad Yahalomi loved the animals that many fear, and sought to reveal their fascinating world and importance to nature. As he himself wrote, 'Scorpions are a very critical link in the food web.' After his abduction, the scorpion became a symbol associated with him, and his family and friends wore scorpion pins as a sign of solidarity and hope for his return. Today, the scorpions he loved so much are a way to continue his legacy, a legacy of love for nature and respect for all living creatures."

Scholarships in Ohad Yahalomi's memory are already awarded at the University of Haifa, where he studied, and a scientific scholarship will soon be established in his name at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "We are looking for ways to commemorate this special man," Bat Sheva added. "It's not easy. We are still in the midst of mourning and pain, but we are trying."