During an operation to neutralize a weapon and missile shrapnel, Israel Police officers in the Jerusalem District encountered a turtle whose shell appeared to have been damaged due to impact from an Iranian Missile fragment, police stated on Friday.
Noticing the turtle was injured and bleeding, police bomb disposal technicians provided medical aid and fed it while locating a wildlife veterinary center.
“I approached to deal with a weapons item that had fallen at the scene, and suddenly I saw the turtle with its shell damaged and bleeding,” Senior Sergeant A., the police bomb disposal technician who found the turtle, said.
“I immediately understood that it had probably been injured as a result of the impact with the ground from the same item I had come to handle. Because this is a protected wild animal, I contacted veterinary professionals who instructed me to place it in a box.”
The turtle has been safely transferred to professionals for rehabilitation
The officers cared for the turtle and followed the professionals’ instructions until it could be safely transferred to the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.
“I made sure to give it some grass and transferred it, according to their instructions, for medical treatment and rehabilitation,” Senior Sergeant A.
The turtle will continue to receive dedicated treatment and rehabilitation at the Safari.