Lucien, the large green turtle admitted to the uShaka Sea World rehabilitation facility after being rescued at Lucien beach in February this year has died.
It has been suggested, but not confirmed, that she could have been the resident Umzimkulu River turtle, and is thought to have been around 60 years old.
ALSO READ: 60-year-old turtle rescued from Lucien beach is ‘doing really well’
The news of her death was felt by the Lower South Coast SPCA team – particularly inspectors Werner Taljaard and Harold Krause – which was instrumental in her rescue.
Vice-chairman Carla Steenkamp said she was saddened by the news, adding that Lucien was the biggest turtle she had ever seen.
Ann Kunz of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) said Lucien was originally admitted with a buoyancy disorder, but they quickly determined that she had a systemic bacterial infection.
“We suspected that this infection occurred subsequent to, and as a result of her traumatic carapace injury.”
Despite receiving a course of antibiotics specifically aimed at treating this infection, she did not respond as hoped.
“Over the past eight weeks the rehabilitation staff were spending over an hour with her each day administering fluids and ensuring she received nourishment. She was an incredibly special animal and we are devastated to have lost her,” said senior aquarist, Malini Pather.
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