uShaka helps brave turtle defy the odds
Both of the turtle’s front fins were missing.
AN injured female loggerhead turtle, which was recently rescued in Sodwana Bay, is currently being rehabilitated at uShaka Marine World.
The turtle was spotted on Saturday, 27 December by tour guides and when they returned to the soot later that evening the tide had receded and they noticed both of the front flippers were missing.
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“As her wounds were not bleeding heavily and she appeared otherwise in a stable condition, we felt she had a strong chance of survival and the decision was made to transport her immediately to uShaka Sea World,” said the South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s Ann Kunz.
While the organisation does not know how the turtle was injured, it noted the wounds were severe but she reacted well to stimulus.
“It appeared as though her injuries had occurred separately and that her most recent injury was a few days old. It did not appear that all her injuries occurred naturally,” said Kunz.
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“When an animal sustains such severe injuries, their chances of survival are slim. This lady proved the exception. Her name is Keena which means brave. We are cautiously optimistic (she) will survive the next few crucial weeks and be strong enough to start physiotherapy in a few months time,” said Kunz.
She noted that Keena would not be able to return to the ocean as, without the use of both front flippers, the turtle would be unable to avoid predation or reach the necessary ocean depths to adequately feed.
“We know her recovery and rehabilitation will be a long journey but, for now, we are just taking it one day at a time,” said Kunz.
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