They killed Mona Khalil in southern Lebanon. She had become a passionate advocate for both green and loggerhead turtles that for countless centuries have laid their eggs on beaches near the city of Tyre. She made a home on that coast so that she could better undertake her conservation work. She was 76 years old when she died of her injuries on Friday. Her home had been hit during a bombing raid.
But for heaven's sake, surely Mona should have realised that her turtles were running a Hezbollah command and control centre down on the beach. A military spokesman for the bombers who hail from an unnamed nearby country said that they would undertake a thorough investigation into what happened but quietly added that no one would ever see the results of that "investigation".
On behalf of green turtles and right thinking humans everywhere, I say a big thank you to Mona for your work and a big sorry that your life had to end that way. Hopefully, other conservationists will pick up your baton and run with it.
Green turtle in the sea off Lebanon
A gifted ecologist who worked to keep the ocean clean is now a statistic.
ReplyDeleteIsrael attacks on Lebanon may have killed as many as 4, 000 people since March.
Mona is now counted with the unnamed dead. Men, Women & children.
Work like Mona's is extremely valuable for the turtles and eco system.
ReplyDeleteThat bombing was on our TV news service but there was no mention of Mona or the turtles. I am so sorry to hear the turtles have lost their guardian and hope someone else can step into her place.
ReplyDeleteSome very bad words were coming into my mind as I read this. However, thank you and vale Mona.
ReplyDeleteI am just catching up with your blog after not having spent any time at my computer during this very hot weekend (36C during the day and never under 20/21C during the night).
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your passport drama; the pickpocketing scenario sounds very likely. I absolutely HATE it when people invade my personal space, and am very cautious with my handbag. There is never anything important in my coat pockets, just a pack of tissues.
Sometimes at the ALDI checkout line when people come too close for comfort, I turn round and smile at them and politely ask whether they would like to go in front; they never say "yes please", mostly I just get a wide-eyed open mouth and (rarely) a "sorry", and they shuffle back a little bit.
War has a terrible record. But her work even in death will be noticed and the saving of the turtles will go on because she stood up and counted their lives as precious.
ReplyDeleteJust one of thousands of lives lost. The world has stood by an Israel has killed thousands and thousands of innocent people. And yes, I know that almost 1,200 people were killed on October 7th.
ReplyDeleteMore than 1,200.
DeleteIsraeli forces also killed around 1,600 armed militants and attackers who had infiltrated from Gaza (according to them).
Fair comment. I was referring to the Israelis because there are a few bloggers who whenever you speak out against what Israel had done to Gaza, and Lebanon, they make a comment about not having any sympathy for the horror of October 7th.
DeleteThe world needs to round up the War Criminals.
ReplyDeleteSenseless wars over land or opinions or religion or "perceived" differences ... why?
ReplyDeleteThere are those who believe turtles are sacred animals. The Great Turtle Mother. True or not, people who do work like Mona Kahlil are few and precious. Her death serves no one.
ReplyDeleteWar- man's worst idea ever.
How sad. She made a difference with her work and her life. War is no good.
ReplyDeleteYes, I read about that. Terrible.
ReplyDeleteA horrible casualty in this senseless war. She was a Jane Goodall for the green and loggerhead turtles.
ReplyDeleteToo much sadness
ReplyDelete