Durban — A female green turtle found stranded on a beach, entangled in fishing nets, fishing lines and ropes, was taken to uShaka Sea World for immediate medical care.
National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) spokesperson Craig Lambinon said that NSRI Ballito, KwaDukuza lifeguards and Ballito Specialised Rescue responded to Tinley Manor, near the tidal pool, following reports of a sea turtle trapped in fishing nets off-shore.
Lambinon said that KwaDukuza, using Malibu rescue boards, paddled out to the turtle that was found to be trapped in fishing nets and fishing line, in distress and with fishing line ingested appearing to be blocking its airways.
“Lifeguards were able to cut the sea turtle free from the entrapment and although still entangled in fishing line and netting they brought the turtle to shore,” Lambinon said.
He said that the KZN Marine Animal Stranding Network were alerted.
Lambinon said that the sea turtle was brought above the high water mark where fishing nets and fishing lines were removed from the turtle. The turtle was loaded onto a medical spine board and carried to the parking area and loaded into a Ballito Specialised Rescue vehicle before being transported to uShaka Marine World where vets took over treatment.
The South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s (Saambr) Ann Kunz said “the incredible collaboration by various rescue and conservation organisations along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline once again contributed to quick rescue action, support, logistics and medical treatment of a very large stranded female green turtle on Friday”.
“Members of the public noticed the turtle on the Tinley Manor beach, tangled in a mess of fishing nets and ropes and alerted the lifeguards who called the NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) to assist,” Kunz said.
She said that the NSRI is a very active member of the KZN Stranding Network and immediately notified Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Saambr’s uShaka Sea World sea turtle rescue and animal health teams as well as the rest of the network’s marine animal stranding specialists.
The NSRI transported the very large turtle to uShaka Sea World where she received immediate medical care from a full team of veterinarians and turtle specialists from Saambr, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation as well as the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, Kunz said.
“The team has named her Nala, which means queen in Swahili. She certainly looks like a beautiful green turtle queen who will hopefully be back in her blue ocean home very soon,” Kunz said.
uShaka Sea World lead aquarist Malini Pather said the turtle is looking well after her first night in the hospital and that the team remains positive about her outcome.
Kunz added that the KZN Stranding Network has assisted and facilitated the rescue of various seabirds, seals and sea turtles over the years and also acts as first responders for any concerns regarding cetaceans and sharks.
“… Big appreciation for all the organisations and individuals offering up their time in support of marine conservation,” Kunz said.
Last month, a little green turtle with barnacles, dehydration, gas trapped in her intestinal tract and an infection was admitted to Saambr’s sea turtle hospital at uShaka Sea World.
The young turtle is named Ohana, which means family in the Hawaiian language. The turtle was spotted by an observant member of the public and rescued in Doonside, eManzimtoti, south of Durban.
Kunz said Ohana appeared very weak and carried quite a lot of goose barnacles on her shell. Barnacles often hitch a free ride on sea turtles and vessels, but these can weigh down small turtles and often indicate that the turtle’s health might be compromised.
“Diagnostics revealed dehydration, gas trapped in her intestinal tract (as can be seen on the X-ray and could be indicative of a plastic obstruction in the gut) as well as an infection (reactive white cells in her blood smear),” Kunz said.
“Her treatment included supportive fluids as well as antibiotics and we are keeping a close eye on her gut movement. She is receiving a lot of TLC from the turtle rehabilitation team and seems to have turned a corner and is starting to look stronger,” she said.
Kunz said that like her name, Ohana will be part of the turtle family at Saambr during her recovery and while they get her ready for release.
She is estimated to be about 18-months old and she most likely hatched on one of the islands in the Mozambique Channel.
Daily News