The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) wrote this story.
We love it when a plan comes together through shared passion, care and true collaboration. The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is one of our very close Sea Turtle Partners, and they recently entrusted us to release five rehabilitated into the warm waters of northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Bayleaf, Bubbles, Mojo Jojo, Peppa and Pimento were treated like the VIPs they are, from the moment they were rescued between Wilderness and False Bay, throughout their rehabilitation journeys, during their flight to SAAMBR, and finally, during their return to the ocean.
Bubbles, a loggerhead turtle, weighed a mere 60 grams when she was found stranded in Struisbaai in 2024. By the time she was ready for release, she was a strong 7.7 kg. Bayleaf, a green turtle, weighed an impressive 13.2 kg before release and is hopefully already enjoying the beautiful algal beds along our coastline.
South Africa’s sea turtle conservation community continues to grow, and we are very grateful to the members of the public who find stranded turtles and take action. Without those first phone calls, turtle lifts, and real concern, we would not be able to give these ocean travellers the care they need or the chance to return home to the sea. Thank you to everyone who helped rescue, rehabilitate, transport and release these special turtles. And to Bayleaf, Bubbles, Mojo Jojo, Peppa and Pimento: go well, little VIPs.
Picture: Supplied