New adventures for Herbie the Loggerhead turtle
Since late January Herbie has made her way down the KZN coast, from Sodwana Bay to Durban
HERBIE the Loggerhead turtle who was released in the waters off Sodwana Bay after having spent 16 years at uShaka Marine World in Durban, is relishing her freedom and making the most of her vast area of habitat.
After a few weeks swimming both north and south of her release point, but keeping within the protected waters of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Herbie has since become more adventurous.
Earlier this month her tag, which is used to monitor her movements, showed her to be hanging around Richards Bay harbour, spending more time inside the harbour than out.
According to the South African Association of Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR), it is not uncommon for Loggerhead turtles to spend some time in sheltered waters like harbours, where the walls provide ample grazing.
A week later, on 12 March, Herbie left Richards Bay and, taking advantage of the Agulhas offshoot current, headed southwards.
She travelled for 35km before settling on the 8km shallow in-shore reef just south of Mtunzini.
More recent data showed her to have continued southwards, stopping briefly at Amatikhulu, where she spent a few days exploring.
With no abundant food source in Amatikulu, Herbie resumed her journey southwards and is now in the vicinity of Sheffield Beach near Durban.
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