Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings were found on Grotto Beach and Kammabaai near Voëlklip Beach last week.
According to experts these hatchlings are small. “They’re about the size of your palm with a weight of 50 g and upwards. For once beach walkers are allowed to pick them up and help them to safety. The golden rule of finding a turtle or hatchling is to never put it back in the ocean,” said Two Oceans Aquarium rescue coordinator, Tracy Whitehead. She advises people “when back from beach place it in a plastic tub on a piece of dry towel; if you want to put a lid on, make sure it has air holes. Do not wet, wash, feed or try to clean the hatchlings. Keep it out of the wind and direct sunlight.”
The Overstrand Municipality, in collaboration with the South African Shark Conservancy and other role players, will ensure the turtles are temporarily housed until they can be moved to the Two Oceans Aquarium where they will be rehabilitated until they are strong and healthy.
They will then be sent to uShaka Sea World in Durban where they are released into the warmer waters off the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
According to Tarron Dry, the Biodiversity Conservation Manager of the Overstrand Municipality, the turtles hatchlings do not like cold water. The cold water stuns the hatchlings, leaving them extremely weak and vulnerable. This causes them to wash ashore and become stranded. Stormy weather can also throw hatchlings off course.
Drop off points for the Overstrand:. Contact the Environmental Management Section of Overstrand Municipality on 028 316 3724 (o/h) or Tarron Dry on 083 366 9490 or the Fire and Rescue Emergency Control Room on 028 312 2400.. South African Shark Conservancy, Old Harbour, Hermanus – 028 312 3029;. African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Gansbaai – 072 598 7117 or e-mail: penguin@apss.org.za;. The Turtle rescue hotline is 083 300 1663.
