A LOGGERHEAD turtle has settled in the Durban Harbour area for the past few months after travelling between the North Coast and local waters.
The turtle’s travels have been recorded thanks to a tracker fitted at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) where the turtle recovered from a shark-bite attack.
Affectionately named Jina, the loggerhead sea turtle seems to love the area between Durban North Beach and the harbour entrance.
“Our surf-ski friends at Durban Underwater Club have spotted her (and her satellite-tag antennae) on many occasions, and they have welcomed her to the bay, which is home to another resident loggerhead turtle called Bob, whom they often see,” said SAAMBR.
“We found it very interesting that Jina decided to head down from St Lucia to Durban in early February and that she has decided to remain in this area. Our concern has been mainly potential boat strikes due to the marine traffic into and out of the harbour, but it seems as if Jina, with her partially amputated flippers due to a shark bite, is fully capable of staying out of harm’s way,” continued SAAMBR.
The turtle was rescued in January 2022 after a Tiger Shark got hold of both of her front flippers.
“This necessitated surgery and an eleven-month rehabilitation period to get her ocean fit again. She was released at Cape Vidal in December and has shown us that those short flippers are very effective as she travelled to Richards Bay and St Lucia before heading down to Durban,” said SAAMBR, adding that the turtle’s satellite tag has transmitted 788 locations since December.
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