Green turtles released at Mabibi
The turtles have been in the care of uShaka Sea World for the past three weeks
TWO green turtles (Chelonia mydas) nicknamed Mel and Grotto, were released at Mabibi near iSimangaliso’s Sodwana Bay section by Park CEO Andrew Zaloumis and Senior Aquarist Robert Kyle from the Oceanographic Research Institute (ORI).
The turtles have been in the care of uShaka Sea World for the past three weeks.
Mel, weighing only 816 grams was stranded at the Willows outside of Port Elizabeth on 16 December last year and was taken to Bayworld where she was treated for shell rot.
She had a healthy appetite and gained weight steadily throughout the year.
Two weeks ago she was transferred to Durban before being transported to the Mabibi release site.
Grotto, whose gender is unknown, is larger and weighs 12.6kg with a carapace length of 480mm.
Grotto was taken to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town after stranding on Grotto Beach on 29 April.
Both turtles were checked by uShaka’s resident veterinarian Dr Francois Lampen, who found them to be in good health and ready for release.
Green turtles
Green turtles, although they do not nest on our shores, are resident in iSimangaliso.
The nearest breeding grounds are in the Mozambique Channel.
Adults may reach sizes of about 78 to 112cm and weigh between 68 and 186kg.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park has spectacular coral reefs off Sodwana Bay and the Coastal Forest section of the park, which provide shelter to a myriad sea life, notably five of the world’s seven species of sea turtles.
iSimangaliso’s reefs form part of an extensive marine protected area, where habitat destruction and harvesting are minimal threats to the turtles visiting the park.
With the numerous sheltered inshore reefs and the protection afforded by a Marine World Heritage Site, Mabibi represents a safe release site for small green turtles.
The shores are the last significant breeding site of leatherback and loggerhead turtles in Africa.
Turtles are threatened worldwide by human impact, including habitat loss and degradation, wildlife trade, collection of eggs and meat for consumption, incidental capture in commercial and subsistence fisheries (bycatch), climate change and pollution.
‘With a legacy of over 60 years of turtle research and conservation along its well protected shores, every effort is being made by iSimangaliso, with its partners the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (incorporating uShaka Sea World) and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, to ensure that this, and other turtles, survive and thrive,’ says iSimangaliso Authority CEO Andrew Zaloumis.
Get up close
Diving at Sodwana Bay offers a great opportunity to spot and photograph the five sea turtle species.
Turtle tours operate from November to March and provide the opportunity to witness the miracle of egg laying and hatching of the loggerhead and leatherback turtles on the iSimangaliso beaches.
Tours depart from St Lucia, Cape Vidal, Sodwana Bay, Mabibi, Manzengwenya and Bhanga Nek.
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