In the murky depths of Israel’s Alexander River lives the Trionyx triunguis – the African softshell turtle. While these prehistoric-looking giants were once masters of Israel’s coastal waterways, the 1970s brought them to the brink of extinction. Rapid industrial and agricultural growth turned the country’s rivers into a toxic chemical soup, leaving the turtle population at a critical low.
Yet, before the river was declared a nature reserve, the turtles survived through a bizarre twist of fate. Numerous poultry farms lined the riverbanks, dumping organic waste, including leftover chicken parts, directly into the water. As aggressive predators and scavengers, the softshells didn’t miss a beat, they adapted to this unexpected protein buffet. This “chicken diet” became their lifeline, allowing the species to endure even in the most heavily polluted conditions.
Before fences protected their favorite haunts, the turtles became a local attraction. Families would visit with bags of lettuce and bread, assuming the turtles were gentle herbivores. The turtles, however, remained unimpressed, barely poking their snouts above the surface for a leaf of kale. But the moment a piece of raw chicken hit the water, the scene transformed. These 50-kilogram giants with shells reaching a meter in length would haul themselves onto the muddy banks with terrifying speed.
They weren’t the only ones eyeing the prize. Local street cats, ever the opportunists, would gather to challenge the reptilian heavyweights. Despite the turtles’ massive size advantage, a well-aimed swipe from a cat’s claw often forced a stalemate. In these “chicken wars,” sharing became a matter of survival.
The tide finally turned in 1994 with the launch of the Alexander River Restoration Project. Dedicated specialists and volunteers began rescuing eggs from vulnerable nests to shield them from predators and flooding. Today, the river is a success story in progress. With cleaner water and protected nesting sites, the turtles have returned to their natural rhythm, largely indifferent to the humans grilling on the banks, no longer forced to fight cats for their next meal.
