Softshell Turtles Choose Meagan Michael Bird Park for Nesting, Marking Ecological Success

A new nesting site for softshell turtles, a species endangered in Israel, was discovered this week at Meagan Michael Bird Park. This finding is a significant indicator of the success of ongoing ecological restoration efforts in the park. The turtle eggs were laid during early morning or nighttime hours, but unfortunately, some nests were disturbed by predators such as mongooses, jackals, and cats, which are present due to nearby fish ponds. Despite this, two nests with intact eggs were saved through rapid intervention by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, and the Nahal Taninim Reserve team, who fenced off the area to protect the nests.

The softshell turtle, unique to Israel and found in its streams, has seen a sharp decline in population due to habitat loss, water pollution, and human impact. These turtles can grow shells over 90 cm long and weigh several tens of kilograms. Their breeding season is typically May to June, when females dig nests along riverbanks to lay eggs, which hatch after about two months. Currently, significant populations remain mainly in the Hula Nature Reserve and Alexander Stream National Park, with only a few dozen individuals.

Chen Rozen, the park coordinator who found the nesting site, emphasized the importance of the discovery, stating it highlights the park's role in broader ecosystem restoration beyond just birds. The park team is committed to ensuring the successful hatching of a new generation of turtles. Meagan Michael Bird Park remains open to visitors with guided tours available by appointment.

Summary: Softshell turtles, an endangered species in Israel, have nested for the first time at Meagan Michael Bird Park, signaling ecological restoration success despite some predation. Conservation groups acted quickly to protect surviving nests, aiming to support the species' recovery in the region.