This article was written and published by the Two Oceans Aquarium and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR).
Finley has surprised us again by heading almost exactly back to the Richards Bay area where she was rescued.
Has she come “home”? Is she resting in familiar waters, or perhaps waiting for the right time, the right current, or even a ‘special turtle friend’ before continuing north towards nesting areas? We cannot know for sure, but it is incredible to be able to follow her choices as a wild ocean traveller once again.
What makes Finley’s journey even more special is how much she has overcome.
After rescue, she needed intensive care at SAAMBR’s Sea Turtle Hospital, including a carefully managed blood transfusion for an exceptionally low blood count. She also returned to the ocean with only part of one front flipper, yet she has shown us just how resilient sea turtles can be.
Finley first swam strongly against the current to move just past Richards Bay, and then seemed to use the beautiful warm current to cruise right back towards her “front door”.
To all our Richards Bay friends, especially the NSRI, Arboretum Veterinary Clinic, and the community who helped give Finley her second chance, keep your eyes open. She may just come past for a flipper wave… probably with the long flipper!
Huge appreciation again to On Safari Africa for supporting Finley’s ocean safari after rescue, rehabilitation and release. Because of this support, we can keep learning from Finley’s travels.
Picture: SAAMBR