Jina’s journey back to the ocean

Those who may remember the shocking story of shark-bite survivor Jina, a female loggerhead sea turtle rescued in January last year from Umkomaas, will be happy to know that she is doing exceptionally well after a long recovery, and has successfully been returned to her ocean home.

Jina was bitten by a tiger shark and her survival showed everyone that nothing is impossible.

“We are loving her journey and she is showing us every day that you can thrive, even when not quite perfect,” explained Ann Kunz from the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR).
Jina was admitted to the Sea Turtle Hospital with 60% of her left front flipper and 30% of her right front flipper.

“It is quite common to see flipper amputations in sea turtles, but a partial double amputation had us all worried about whether Jina would be released back into the ocean.”

She has been exploring the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline since her release and after 10 months of rehabilitation at SAAMBR’s Sea Turtle Hospital at uShaka Sea World has covered an incredible 2 390km already!

In November, she was cleared for release by SAAMBR’s clinical veterinarian as she was healthy, strong and capable of diving and swimming fast (to hunt prey and to avoid predators) and as a mature female, she also has the potential to contribute to the sea turtle population which is classified as endangered.

“Prior to her release, she was fitted with satellite and acoustic tags so that her post-rehabilitation oceanic movements and spatial usage could be tracked and studied,” explained Ann.

“The satellite tag can potentially show us where she swims for about two years, and the acoustic tag could transmit signals to the listening stations along the coast for up to eight years, so we hope we will eventually be able to report back on a successful nesting for Jina.”

Jina was released in the protected waters at Cape Vidal in December and immediately ventured south to Richards Bay. She spent a few days exploring this area and SAAMBR’s NSRI friends were on stand-by just in case she needed some assistance.

“Thankfully this was not the case and she decided to head back up the coast to Leven Point, which is about 20km north of Cape Vidal. This is a beautiful area with two shallow reefs offering lots of food (Jina loves to eat) and falls within the St Lucia Marine Reserve, which forms part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.”
This was Jina’s home range for about six weeks as she zig-zagged around this environment.
The loggerhead was covering some 38km per day, which was amazing news for those concerned seeing that she is at a physical disadvantage.

“Last week, she entered the Agulhas current and caught a ride in this impressive ocean conveyer belt to Durban.”
“She spent the weekend a few hundred metres behind backline between uShaka beach and North beach, and we would like to believe that she waved one of those short flippers at us.”

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