A tiny hermit crab accidentally transported from the Eastern Cape to Gauteng in a beach shell has been safely returned home following a cross-country rescue, reports Pretoria Rekord.

According to the SPCA Randburg, the little crab, affectionately named Shell-vis Presley, was discovered after a family returned to Johannesburg from a holiday at Kidd’s Beach near East London.

The family had collected what they believed was an empty shell from the beach, unknowingly taking the tiny stowaway with them all the way to Gauteng.

It was only after arriving home that they realised the shell was occupied.

The family contacted the SPCA Randburg for assistance as soon as they discovered their unexpected passenger.

“Not every rescue at the Randburg SPCA barks or meows… meet Shell-vis Presley!” the organisation said when it first shared the unusual rescue.

Cross-country rescue flight arranged

The SPCA consulted wildlife experts to determine the safest way to care for the hermit crab.

Following advice from wildlife veterinarians, the team created a temporary environment for Shell-vis while arrangements were made to return him to Kidd’s Beach.

Permission was obtained from conservation authorities and local government to return Shell-vis to the beach where he had been found.

Getting the tiny crab from Gauteng back to the Eastern Cape, however, proved challenging.

A volunteer living in Kidd’s Beach offered to take Shell-vis home, but the initial travel arrangements could not accommodate the unusual passenger.

The SPCA Randburg said Airlink and HOT 102.7 FM later stepped in to help with the journey.

“With the help of Airlink and HOT 102.7 FM, Shell-vis is on his way home,” the organisation said during his journey.

FlySafair also contacted the SPCA to offer assistance, but alternative arrangements had already been made.

Shell-vis eventually arrived safely in the Eastern Cape and was returned to Kidd’s Beach.

‘Every animal life matters’

“After an unexpected holiday in Johannesburg, our tiny celebrity Shell-vis Presley has officially been safely returned to Kidd’s Beach in the Eastern Cape, where he belongs,” the SPCA Randburg said.

The organisation thanked the family who contacted them, the wildlife veterinarians who guided his care, the volunteers involved in the journey and everyone who helped get him home.

For the SPCA Randburg, the unusual rescue also carried an important message about the value of every animal’s life.

“It may have been one tiny crab, but every animal life matters, no matter how small,” the organisation said.

After an accidental journey from the coast to Gauteng and back again, Shell-vis Presley is safely home on the Eastern Cape coastline.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.