A HARROWING misadventure for Scotty has finally come to an end. The young female Green Turtle was released back into the ocean after she was brought to uShaka Sea World in late October, last year. Named after the beach where she was found, Scotty was discovered stranded on Scottburgh beach in 2016 by a local resident who then reportedly tried to sell her to the Crocworld Conservation Centre. The centre contacted Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife who took Scotty to the sea world.
Green Turtles do not normally nest along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline but they are naturally found in inshore areas of tropical oceans throughout the world.
Scotty arrived at uShaka in a desperate state – being severely dehydrated. She was properly tended to by the sea world’s animal care staff. According to Steve Brown, a publicist for uShaka, Scotty made a remarkable recovery after several weeks and fully recovered over the next two months before arrangements were made for her release.
uShaka Sea World’s Aquarist, Lindani Kwela was chosen for the honour of releasing Scotty back into the wild in the Isimangaliso Wetland Park. He said about the experience, “[It was] a great privilege to be chosen to reintroduce Scotty into the ocean. Although releasing Scotty took no more than a moment, it was a moment I will never forget. Being part of the team who had nursed her back to health for five months, to watch her dive beneath the waves and confidently navigate her way through the rock pools was priceless.”
