Have you ever heard of a שְׁמָרְצָב /sh-mar-'tsav/? 

It's a uniquely Israeli term crafted for "Turtle Sitters”, volunteers who dedicate their time to safeguarding these precious creatures. As hatching season has begun in Israel, I wanted to share their work and this wonderful Hebrew word with you.

The term שְׁמָרְצָב /sh-mar-'tsav/ is a spin on the Hebrew word for babysitter which is שְׁמַרְטַף /sh-mar-'taf/. 

The Hebrew word for Babysitter is a combination of two words שְׁמָרְ (to guard) and טַף (baby). 

The turtle version replaces the טַף (baby) with צָב (turtle), creating שְׁמָרְצָב /sh-mar-'tsav/...

As these volunteers focus on helping with everything to do with our sea turtle hatchlings! 🐢💕

At the Israeli sea turtle rescue center in Michmoret (מכמורת), volunteers work in shifts, scanning the beaches for sea turtle nests. Sea turtles are wild animals, and so volunteers minimize human contact as much as possible, only engaging directly for medical treatment, monitoring, and rehabilitation.

As part of their preparation for the nesting season, the center requested the IDF to remove hazardous obstacles placed at the start of the war at Betzet beach. The IDF not only agreed but personally assisted in removing these obstacles, ensuring the safety of both the nesting turtles and the turtle sitters.

This year's nesting season began with the discovery of the first nest, belonging to a female brown sea turtle, containing 104 eggs safely relocated to a hatchery to be guarded until they hatch.

Being a שְׁמָרְצָב /sh-mar-'tsav/ is about being part of a mission to preserve the delicate balance of our environment and ensuring that future generations can also marvel at these wonderful creatures. 

If you’re in Israel and live close to Michmoret, you can also volunteer and be a turtle sitter! 🌊🐢💚

#seaturtle #hebrew #turtle #israel #language #animalrescue https://image.nostr.build/0ca8286418941b4fb0a258ec16c119e43d9997dd3d7c0bb4cc56e1647114a2f7.jpg