This article was written by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation
The Turtle Rescue Network is appealing to anyone who comes across a stranded adult turtle to follow these steps:
❌ Don’t return the turtle to the water.
☎️ Call the Turtle Rescue Hotline (083 300 1663) immediately
💙 Stay with the turtle, keeping it sheltered.
This week, an adult loggerhead turtle of nesting age washed ashore in Betty’s Bay, heavily entangled in a marker buoy and encrusted with marine leeches.
Well-meaning beachgoers removed the ropes from her flipper and returned her to the ocean, without knowing that this is often a death sentence for weak and injured turtles as they cannot surface to breathe. 😮💨
The turtle later re-stranded and was rushed to our Turtle Conservation Centre with the help of CapeNature officials, Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue Centre, and Michael Bayer. Unfortunately, the turtle didn’t survive the night – our vets believe she became anaemic due to her injuries and, once the buoy was removed, drowned.
This is a tremendous loss of a breeding-age female turtle and a poignant reminder of what to do if you find a stranded turtle.
Each adult turtle successfully rehabilitated and released represents a critical opportunity for the continuation of these endangered species, and we appreciate our community’s help with these efforts. 🌟
Read about it here: https://www.aquarium.co.za/foundation/news/our-turtle-rescue-network-urges-beachgoers-to-follow-protocol-for-stranded-turtles