FIVE months after being rescued and rehabilitated, Stella the green turtle was recently released at Mission Rocks in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
She was rescued from Zinkwazi beach where she was found lying on her back, and was transported to the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) at uShaka Marine World in Durban.
ALSO READ: Police on a mission to curb crime this winter
On arrival in Durban, she was taken for X-rays and various other check-ups, and no issues were found.
But when SAAMBR attempted to release the turtle, she was buoyant and unable to dive.
It was then determined that she had an infection, from which green turtles can take up to a year to recover, owing to their slow metabolism.
Stella, instead, miraculously overcame her infection in just under six months.
iSimangaliso Wetland Park was decided upon as an ideal release site for rehabilitated green turtles owing to its 221km of coastline.
It is also a hot spot for visiting turtles, both local and international, between November and March.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
Instagram – zululand_observer
