Ten Loggerhead turtles released in Durban
It was a sweet moment for uShaka staff as they watched their hard work pay off.
TEN Loggerhead Turtles were released into the ocean by uShaka Marine World from a rubber duck on Friday morning (31 January).
All of these juvenile Loggerhead Turtles (Carettacaretta) were flown to uShaka Sea Word from Two Oceans Aquarium in 2012/3 after stranding on the beaches in and around Cape Town. These juvenile turtles are naturally found in the warmer waters along the KZN coastline but occasionally find themselves in the wrong current and end up in the Cape. Unfortunately they cannot cope in the icy waters of the Cape so by the time they strand on the Cape beaches they are generally in a pitifully compromised condition.
Two Oceans Aquarium staff carefully nurture them back to health and once stabilised, because they cannot thrive in the Cape they flew them to uShaka Sea World to prepare for release.
On arrival at uShaka Sea World they spent some time in quarantine before being moved to the Turtle Rehabilitation Centre where they were closely monitored and given the opportunity to grow to a size which would improve their chances of survival in the ocean after their release.
After launching from Durban Ski-Boat Club, the staff were able to release the turtles into the warm Mozambique current which lies 10 nautical miles offshore.
It was a joyful occasion for the staff that had spent months looking after the turtles to hold them for the last time before loosening their grip and watching the turtles swim away. All ten turtles stayed at the surface of the water for a short while before diving down and disappearing from sight.
