Green turtle released after six-month recovery
Namaste started eating again soon after her arrival at the rehabilitation facility, but took a little longer to maintain neutral buoyancy.
An adult green turtle found stranded on Umkomaas beach last November, has made a full recovery and has just been released in Cape Vidal.
When the turtle was first found, she was taken to the uShaka Sea World turtle rehabilitation facility by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff where she has spent the past six months and was named ‘Namaste’.
“On arrival she appeared exhausted and although she showed no visible sign of any injuries, her carapace was covered in algae and she was unable to dive,” explained Ann Kunz of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR).
“X-rays showed that she had gas in her large intestines which was thought to be the reason she was positively buoyant.”
Namaste started eating again soon after her arrival at the rehabilitation facility, but took a little longer to maintain neutral buoyancy.
She has now fully regained her strength, and once she received her release permit from iSimangaliso Wetland Park, she was flipper tagged and released.
Staff present on Namaste’s release day mentioned that the turtle wasted no time at all to get back into the water, and headed out into the ocean as soon as she felt the water lapping over her flippers.
uShaka Sea World senior quarantine aquarist, Malini Pather, stated that Namaste really was a special turtle to everyone at the facility.
“She is an incredibly special animal and has managed to make every member of the turtle rehabilitation team fall in love with her.
“We are elated that she made a full recovery and that we were able to release her.”
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