VIDEO: KZN conservationists, pilots help release rehabilitated tortoises
The legal and ethical release of the 10 leopard tortoises is a culmination of many projects and a lot of teamwork.
IT has been a slow walk to freedom for 10 rescued and rehabilitated leopard tortoises that have been in the care of the non-profit company (NPC), FreeMe Wildlife, based in Howick, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
However, on Monday morning (January, 23), following a six-year project, they embarked on their fastest (and highest) journey yet – a two-hour flight in a B58 Beechcraft Baron aircraft from the Virginia Airport in Durban North to the Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape where they will be legally and ethically released back into the wild.
The NPC’s Wade Whitehead (CEO) and Michaela White (head of operations) beamed with pride as they watched the reptiles’ plane fly off into the early morning sunrise.
The relocation is the culmination of many projects and a lot of teamwork – one of which is the publication of a research paper in 2021 (Dajčman et al. 2021). The study analysed genetic samples taken from wild tortoises which revealed that there are five major lineages or clusters from where all tortoises originate.
With this information, conservation groups will be able to responsibly release the reptiles. This will prevent out-breeding as the rehabilitated tortoises are genetically similar to the wild tortoise populations and will also ensure that the tortoises thrive in the environments where they are released.
As Whitehead explains, “The tortoises have adapted to specific environments, for example, the terrain, climate and vegetation. To release them in a completely different environment would be unfair.”
Genetic tests revealed that the 10 leopard tortoises originated from the southern cluster, ie, the Eastern Cape.
“This has been a culmination of a lot of hard work, lots of red tape, lots of drama – lots of all sorts – and finally now we can send them home,” said Whitehead after the plane had taken off.
White echoed his sentiments, saying it was a ‘fantastic feeling’.
“Some of [the tortoises] have been with us for up to six years,” she added.
White said it was also great to have a ‘clear pathway’ now on how to go about releasing the other 50 tortoises that are still in their care.
Tortoises often end up at rehabilitation centres due to the demand for exotic pets and illegal wildlife trade.
These terrestrial reptiles are hardy and long-lived animals, and as explained by Whitehead, they often outlive humans. They can also grow much larger than people would expect.
Through the assistance of The Bateleurs, an NPC comprising hundreds of volunteer pilots, whose aim is to assist conservation efforts, the 10 hour drive to their new home was significantly reduced.
“Getting an animal to the release site as quickly as possible minimises the stress on said animal,” explained Whitehead.
Speaking before the flight, pilot Nick Lincoln said he has always had a love for nature.
“I can’t do enough to help nature, and what a blessing to be able to combine pleasure with a passion,” he added.
FreeMe Wildlife provides assistance to indigenous wildlife throughout KZN. For more information, contact 033 330 3036 or admin@freemewildlife.org; or to reach out to The Bateleurs, contact 076 843 2287 or info@bateleurs.org.
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook or Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
