New adventures beckon (hopefully) for Admiral Tweni and 19 little loggerhead turtles
This year Two Oceans Aquarium received so many turtle patients, that 42 post-hatchlings were transferred to SAAMBR’s turtle rehabilitation facility at uShaka Sea World.
Nineteen microchipped post-hatchling loggerhead turtles, one sub-adult loggerhead turtle, and Admiral Tweni, a Subantarctic fur seal were released by South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) staff.
The marine animals were released about 20 nautical miles off Durban with assistance from the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB).
Release of 19 loggerhead turtle hatchlings
Each year loggerhead sea turtles wash up on beaches in the Western Cape after hatching in northern KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique. These little sea turtles, often weighing less than 40g, are usually cold, under-nourished, injured and suffering from ingesting plastic when they wash up.
This year Two Oceans Aquarium received so many turtle patients, that 42 post-hatchlings were transferred to SAAMBR’s turtle rehabilitation facility at uShaka Sea World. These little loggerhead turtles have recovered so well and have gained enough weight and strength to be given a second chance.
After they passed their final health check, they were microchipped and primed for their trip out to the Agulhas current approximately 20 to 30 nautical miles off Durban on the SAIAB vessel uKwabelana.
Release of satellite tagged loggerhead turtle named Donny
SAAMBR is also participating in a collaborative release of three juvenile loggerhead turtles, all rescued between 2019 and 2020, but all presenting various health challenges.
They were all recently cleared for release fitted with satellite tags. They will be released at three different sites along the South African coastline so that their post-rehabilitation and release movements can be compared.
SAAMBR released Donny, named and adopted by Don Hunter, local Durban underwater photographer who joined the release.
Donny was rescued in March 2020 and weighed 44.3g on arrival. She had developed metabolic bone disease due to her compromised immune system and struggled to eat and dive.
She spent a long time in the turtle ICU and underwent a range of treatments, including UV light treatment.
“Donny’s body demanded a lot from her to help her get better and she rose to the challenge. Our turtle rehab team can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing that she has championed her own rehabilitation journey” said Talitha Noble, Conservation Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation.
The Bateleurs, an organisation of volunteer pilots flying for the environment, transported Donny from Cape Town to Durban in preparation of the release.
Malini Pather, lead aquarist and turtle rehabilitation specialist and her team at SAAMBR together with Santosh Bachoo from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife fitted Donny with a satellite tag provided by the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation and is expecting transmission for about four to eight months which should give a good indication of where these juveniles go during their ‘lost years’.
The Turtle Stranding Network along the coastline, including the NSRI, SANPARKS and the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation make sure that stranded sea turtles that strand in the Cape make their way to either Bay World Oceanarium in Gqeberha or to the Two Oceans Aquarium where the Aquarium Foundation runs a very successful sea turtle rehabilitation programme.
Release of Subantarctic seal named Admiral Tweni
Admiral Tweni was stranded near Winklespruit at the end of May and SAAMBR worked with the KZN Stranding Network and KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife staff to bring him to the rehabilitation facility for medical observations and care.
He has only one eye and was quite thin on arrival but has now recovered well and reached his release ready target weight thanks to the constant care by the animal care and health teams at SAAMBR.
Subantarctic fur seals quite often make their way to the South African coastline for a brief visit, but their home range is in the Southern Ocean around the Prince George islands and around Marion Island, so Admiral Tweni has quite a swim ahead of him.
Dr Greg Hofmeyer from Bayworld Oceanarium has facilitated many Subantarctic releases and has contributed valuable information and insights into this case as well.
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