TWO more Green Turtles have been released into the wild after recovering at the Sea Turtle Hospital at uShaka Sea World – one recovered from the brink of death.
Last week, Berea Mail reported that another rescued Green Turtle was thriving near Sodwana Bay.
Now, the team from South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), based at uShaka Sea World, is celebrating the recoveries of two more Green Turtles, affectionately named Odin and Duke.
Both sub-adult turtles, Odin was found near the Bluff in October last year, and Duke was found floating upside down in a pool of water on Garvies Beach in December 2021.
Malini Pather, uShaka Sea World lead aquarist, was amazed at Odin’s recovery – from death’s door to rehabilitation.
“Odin is one of our most remarkable turtle-rehabilitation stories as his journey from the brink of death to passing his pre-release health checks was tough but absolutely incredible. Odin was the hospital sweetheart and managed to charm everyone with his dogmatic resilience. I am overjoyed and really can’t believe that his release day has arrived,” she said.
SAAMBR spokesperson Ann Kunz said Odin was in critical condition when found.
“He was very lethargic and completely emaciated and dehydrated, and the team was worried about his chances of survival. However, after a good clean and some supportive care, including eight weeks of tube feeding and medication, he started to feed by himself,” said Kunz.
Six months later, the turtle has gained 10kgs and was cleared for release by SAAMBR’s clinical veterinarian.
Duke was also emaciated and lethargic when he arrived at Sea Turtle Hospital at uShaka Sea World.
“The Initial diagnostics indicated that he was suffering from an internal infection of the gut. He received the right treatment and started eating within three days which is always a good sign. Duke gained a solid 6kg while under our care and was deemed fit for release following his health examination,” explained Kunz.
Odin was fitted with an acoustic tag so his journey onward can be followed.
“At SAAMBR, we have been so fortunate to have been involved in turtle monitoring and research for the past 60 years, and through our Turtle Tagging and Telemetry research project, we continue not only learning about the post-release movements of these astonishing survivors, but we also contribute to a large national and international data set on the oceanic movement of wild and rehabilitated sea turtles,” said executive manager Maryke Musson.
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