Celebrate World Turtle Day
A rescued green sea turtle tracked along the KZN South Coast has given researchers rare insight into the movements of adult male turtles.
As uShaka Sea World celebrates more than 60 years of turtle conservation this World Turtle Day on May 23, one rescued green sea turtle has provided valuable insight into local marine life.
Andy, a green sea turtle rescued from the Mzimkhulu Estuary and released in October last year with a satellite tag, remained along a 30km stretch of the South Coast between Umtentweni and Southbroom for six months.
Ann Kunz of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research said Andy’s movements showed that some turtles prefer to stay close to home rather than travel long distances.
Despite remaining local, Andy still travelled more than 700km while exploring feeding areas along the algae-rich rocky reefs of the South Coast.
Researchers said tracking Andy was particularly important because opportunities to study adult male sea turtles are rare.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
