Local ambulance service, Med-Evac, went above and beyond the call of duty to save the life of an injured turtle in Port Shepstone yesterday.

Jet-skis and speed boats have been urged to slow down and respect the No Wake Zone after the turtle was found with a shattered shell in the Mzimkhulu River.

A few days prior to the incident Lana van Zyl, of Med-Evac, was with a group of kayakers when they saw the turtle swimming in the river.

After viewing video footage of the turtle floating around among kayakers, it was noticed the animal appeared to be in distress.

Lana was joined by Nici Jammine (also from Med-Evac) in deciding that they would go in search of the turtle yesterday, as Lana had spotted it earlier that same morning while down at the river.

After paddling around for a while, they found the large turtle near the river mouth.

“We didn’t realise how heavy the animal is, and I jumped into the water to try lift him up,” said Lana.

Glen Preston of Med-Evac heard his staff needed help and brought the company’s boat ‘God’s Grace’ to the rescue.

A call to NSRI Shelly Beach saw Bjorn Thaumuller jumping in to assist as well.

Once the turtle (weighing quite a bit) was on the boat, it was noticed it was indeed injured, it had a shattered shell.

The entire team drove in the NSRI response vehicle with the turtle to Ushaka Marine World in Durban, so that it could receive treatment.

“It was quite an ordeal, we spent almost two hours in the water with the turtle. But what a magical experience and I’m so lucky to work with a team that cares and will go the extra mile, even to save an animal,” said Lana.

The turtle has two tags on it and it’s believed it’s name is Calypso.

As soon as the Herald receives feedback from Ushaka the story will be updated.

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