"Tchompy", a loggerhead sea turtle was found high, dry and in deep trouble on an Israeli beach after getting entangled in a fishing line which amputated one of his front fins and damaged the other in February 2008.

After undergoing an innovative surgery and almost two years of recovery, he was released back to sea on Christmas Day.

Saving the fin required extraordinary measures. Veterinarians decided to install a metal plate and screws, along with pieces of bone and shell from another part of the turtle's body into Tchompy's appendage.

Excited children who came to watch Tchompy's release encouraged him as he crawled slowly towards the water.

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