Immobilized Sea Turtle Gets Second Chance at Life Thanks to Jet Inspired Glider Wings (PHOTOS)

Hofesh, the green sea turtle, is certainly a lucky little guy. After losing flippers on one side of his body as the result of being caught in a fishing net, Hofesh (Israeli for “Freedom”) has been given a second chance at life thanks to Shlomi Gez, an Israeli design student.

Hofesh was brought to the Israeli Turtle Rescue Center after the accident and while his wounds have healed, without both sets of flippers, he was unable to stabilize himself in the water and would panic when he couldn’t propel himself to the surface to breathe. Gez has since worked with Hofesh to create a set of biologic glider wings inspired by the design of a F-22 Raptor fighter jet.

Hofesh’s glider wings will actually grow with him and allow him to swim in a deeper tank in the Turtle Rescue Center. Since Hofesh is still at risk of drowning if his wings were to fall off, he unfortunately cannot be released back into the wild, but his improved swimming abilities now allow him to swim in the tank with other sea turtles – in particular a rescued female green sea turtle (wink wink).

Gez and his team hardly consider their job over and will continue to design stronger and more sustainable gliders for the turtle to ensure he is able to swim as best he can. Not only are the wings incredibly helpful to Hofesh, but you have to admit they’re also really cool, check Hofesh out!