Two mature green sea turtles that were trapped in the Mzimkhulu River in KZN have been saved.

South Coast Herald reports that this due to a swift and united rescue effort by the KZN Stranding Network and its partners.

The turtles were unknowingly confined when construction workers, busy with work on the Mzimkhulu bridge, altered the river mouth. Concerned by their presence in a cordoned-off section of the river, the KZN Stranding Network closely monitored them until a rescue mission could be safely carried out last week.

The operation, described as both challenging and unusual, required the combined expertise of various organisations.

“Attempting to catch large, healthy turtles in murky water is no easy task, but thanks to careful planning and teamwork, the rescue was a success,” says Ann Kunz, spokesperson for the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr).

The female turtle was released immediately after capture, while the male, estimated to weigh around 110kg, was transported to uShaka Sea World.

There, he will undergo observation and DNA sampling and will be fitted with a satellite tag before being released into the ocean.

“This is an incredible opportunity to learn more about the oceanic movements of a male green sea turtle,” Kunz says.

“Unlike mature females, who come ashore to nest, males remain at sea their entire lives. Tracking him will give us rare insights into his behaviour.”

The successful rescue was made possible through the combined efforts of volunteers from the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) Port Edward, Andy Coetzee, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Geremy Cliff, Tanya Nadauld, breath-hold divers and supportive residents.

Nadauld, who sprained her thumb while rescuing the ‘big boy’, says the operation was a massive team effort.

“What a deeply moving experience to be a part of. We are so surrounded by negative news on a daily basis, but getting these two incredible turtles out of their predicament was the happy ending we were hoping for.”

Experts explain turtle rescue pairing: Questions were raised on social media after two green sea turtles were spotted together along the KZN coastline, with many wondering if they should have been kept as a pair.

Marine experts explained that sea turtles do not naturally pair up. Green turtles, in particular, do not nest along this stretch of coastline, making it unlikely that the two had been ‘travelling together’.

Instead, it was a matter of pure chance. “Our coastline offers excellent feeding grounds for these vegetarians, and it was just a coincidence that they ended up stuck together,” says Saambr.

The organisation thanked the public for their concern, adding that the incident highlights how much locals care about protecting marine life.

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