WATCH: Richards Bay turtle rescue drama sadly fails

The sight of a large turtle battling to swim close to the surf zone at Newark Beach last Saturday morning galvanised nature lovers into action.

The creature was seen to be struggling to swim, with one side of its carapace (shell) continually breaking above the water’s surface.

It moved from close to the northern breakwater towards the short pier then back again as it seemed to be trying to reach the beach.

A number of spectators moved down to the beach where local resident and open water swimmer Richard Millar ventured into the powerful waves and swam out to the injured creature, despite wearing baggy Bermuda shorts hardly appropriate for a tough 100m swim.

Noticing what appeared to be shark bite marks and aware of the power of the turtle’s jaws and teeth – and the possibility a shark might still be in the vicinity – Richard headed back to shore and a decision was made to summon the lifeguards.

About green turtles

The green sea turtle, also known as the green turtle, black sea turtle or Pacific green turtle, is a species of large sea turtle that gets its name from the green fat found beneath its carapace.

This is owing to its strict diet of seagrass.

Its range extends throughout the tropical and sub-tropical seas around the world, with two distinct populations in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

However, it is also found in the Indian Ocean.

Their conservation status is listed as ‘endangered’.

The average weight of mature individuals is 68 – 190kg and the average carapace length is 78 – 112cm.

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