Israel, February 10, 2026 – Israel sets a new standard in marine conservation: The new National Sea Turtle Rescue Center will open to visitors in February 2026 at Alexander Stream National Park near Netanya.

The center's story began in 1999 when then-marine biology student Yaniv Levy found an injured loggerhead sea turtle on the coast north of Netanya. Its successful rehabilitation was the starting point for what was initially a provisional treatment center. Today, 27 years and approximately 30 million shekels (approx. 8.1 million euros) later, a specially constructed facility with professional infrastructure is opening. The operator and main financier is the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA), supported by individual donations.

The new Sea Turtle Rescue Center features an emergency and intensive care unit with an X-ray room and operating area, as well as several large outdoor seawater pools where injured animals can recover. The heart of the center is the breeding area with two large pools and sandy zones where females can lay their eggs. With this, Israel creates a globally unique framework to protect the species in the Mediterranean Sea in the long term. The population there is particularly endangered – among other things, by plastic waste, discarded fishing gear, and collisions with boats.

The center is supported by a ten-member team (including experts in emergency medicine and rehabilitation) and around 100 volunteers. In parallel, approximately 20 research projects are currently being conducted in collaboration with Israeli universities and international scientists. From the breeding program, 1,300 eggs have already been documented in recent years. This important data helps to further develop conservation measures.

The work will also be accessible to travelers in the future, as the Sea Turtle Rescue Center offers guided tours (approx. 75 minutes). They provide insights into rescue, research, and rehabilitation and include an informational film and a visit to selected areas of the facility. Director Yaniv Levy emphasizes the pioneering nature of the project: “We have the world's only breeding nucleus,” he says about the program for green sea turtles.

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About the Israel Government Tourist Office in Germany:

Whether round trips, city breaks, bathing, wellness, active and cultural trips, rental car tours, or family holidays: The Israel Government Tourist Office provides information about the various regions, cities, and sights in the Holy Land. Israel is located in the eastern Mediterranean and is no more than a four-hour flight from most parts of Europe. The country offers a sunny climate, a wide variety of historical, archaeological, and religious sites, and a captivating contrast between ancient and modern. In Israel, visitors are welcomed with traditional hospitality that dates back to biblical times. goisrael.com

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