Campbell sisters bring turtle Rosie to safety
Death was not an option for a baby loggerhead turtle now named Rosie, when two sisters, aged five- and seven years, rescued it during their recent holiday in Somerset West.
POLOKWANE – Death was not an option for a baby loggerhead turtle now named Rosie, when two sisters, aged five- and seven years, rescued it during their recent holiday in Somerset West.
Jade (5) and Kylie (7) Campbell who live in Polokwane, were on holiday with their parents and grandmother when they found Rosie.
On Saturday after lunch the family went to Gordon’s Bay to play in the rock pools and that is where Jade found Rosie, perched on rocks.
The sisters said the turtle’s eyes were badly infected and the only sign that it was still alive was when it lifted its head for a brief second.
They called their father, James, and pleaded with him to find a “turtle doctor” to save the baby loggerhead.
On their journey to save its life, Jade decided to name the turtle Rosie.
Not knowing anything about turtles, but not prepared to disappoint his little girls, James did an internet search on loggerhead turtles and learnt that the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) recently rescued more than 100 loggerhead turtles found washed up along the Cape coast, predominantly in Struisbaai, which is situated about 350km away from where Rosie was found. He contacted the NSRI for assistance and the family was advised to keep the turtle warm.
The girls wrapped the turtle in a towel and kept on stroking and rubbing it. After about 25 minutes of rubbing, stroking and keeping it warm, Rosie started moving.
“We drove to the Two Oceans Aquarium, where five people were waiting to help Rosie. They told us they were on a mercy mission to save Rosie’s life.
“On Sunday they called and said Rosie was doing well.
“Rosie and the other turtles will be transported to Ushaka Marine World in a few months and we hope to go to Durban to see Rosie released at the aquarium,” James said.
