Good tidings for rescued sea turtle Noël
The green turtle is alert and has a healthy appetite in rehab at uShaka Marine World.
The large green turtle rescued at Sheffield Beach last week, is doing well at uShaka Marine World where she was taken for rehabilitation.
Estimated to be about 30 years old, the feisty turtle has settled into her new surroundings and is alert and eating well.
“We named her Noël because she was rescued at Christmas Bay and because it’s so close to Christmas,” said uShaka Sea World aquarist, Timothy Smith.
Also known as a Pacific green turtle, she was found stranded on the rocks. Residents alerted to the reptile’s plight, rushed to the rescue.
uShaka Marine World was called to collect the turtle and take it to the Oceanic Research Institute (ORI), where the team will try to determine why Noël got stranded and when she might be healthy enough to return to the ocean.
The number of turtles admitted to uShaka Marine World differs every year. Since opening 20 years ago, the facility has taken in 535 rescued turtles, of which 17% did not survive.
Smith noted that turtles get stranded for a number of reasons: injury, disease, or exhaustion.
“Unless you see a turtle making its way up the beach to lay her eggs, you can be sure those you come across, either on the shore or close to the shoreline, are in need of assistance.
Smith emphasised one should not attempt to coax a stranded turtle back into the ocean because they are temperamental.
“Turtles are not generally aggressive, but they are capable of delivering a nasty bite. Never place a turtle on its back as this can cause pressure on its lungs from the internal organs.”
The transport of a sea turtle is prohibited unless authorised by the relevant authority.
Contact uShaka Marine World on 031 328 8222 for turtle rescue assistance.
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