A lucky loggerhead turtle lives to see another day after being rescued from the jaws of a tiger shark by Mokarran Dive Charters owner, Clive Smith last Saturday.
Smith was out at sea at Aliwal Shoal taking a family on an ocean experience boat ride and snorkelling trip when he noticed a swirl on the water surface. Initially he thought that it was large game fish chasing tuna.
After seeing more action in the water and through closer inspection, he realised that it was a shark hunting a turtle.
Both of the turtle’s front flippers were bitten and it began struggling to swim.
With the help of everyone on board, Smith was able to rescue the turtle and brought it onto the boat. He then phoned his wife Michelle, explained what had happened and asked her to get help.
She was able to contact the animal rescue team at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) at Ushaka.
Once the turtle arrived at the facility, it was assessed by a SAAMBR resident vet and given the name Jina which Ann Kunz, SAAMBR spokesperson explained is a name given to conquerors and victors.
“Thankfully she was not bleeding heavily and appeared to be in good condition other than the injuries to her flippers,” said Kunz.
“She was given pain relief and left to rest in a shallow pool.”
The turtle rehabilitation team will be watching Jina closely over the next few days and will administer pain medication when necessary.
“She is also taking time to rest and recover from the initial trauma,” added Kunz.
The Smiths were happy to hear that Jina is doing well in recovery and will be following her progress.
Jina currently has only has one third of her left flipper and two thirds of her right flipper, but the rehabilitation team stated that she is still able to navigate through the water and come to the surface to breathe.
Senior aquarist Malini Pather mentioned that the team will be taking each day one step at a time until Jina’s condition appears more stable.
“We certainly hope that she will be victorious, and we are doing everything in our power to assist her recover.”
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