Our Turtle Conservation Centre released 75 post-hatchling loggerhead turtles!

By Laura du Toit

9 December, 2024 - Turtles, Foundation, Conservation, Blog

(Header credit: Willem van den Heever)

Our Turtle Conservation Centre released 75 post-hatchling loggerhead turtles into the warm waters off Cape Point last week!

After nearly eight months of rehabilitation, the turtles were strong, healthy, and ready to be released back into their ocean home. This was particularly special as it marked one of the final batches of the young turtles to be released since their unprecedented mass stranding in April this year.

As many Capetonians remember, hectic storms hit our coastline a few months ago. This intense weather blew many loggerhead hatchlings off course as they made their way along the Agulhas Current from their natal beaches in northern KwaZulu-Natal. After encountering the rough seas and cold temperatures in the Western Cape, over 600 hatchlings were stranded. They were rescued by our Turtle Rescue Network and brought to the safety of our Turtle Conservation Centre, where they were nursed back to health.

Finally, thanks to excellent medical care, time to rest, and food to grow strong, the hatchlings were transported on three boats into the waters off Cape Point. Accompanied by their dedicated carers from the Turtle Conservation Centre and the Hooked on Africa skippers, the turtles were in good hands as they neared their release point. The plan was to release the turtles where the Agulhas Current begins to influence the cold waters of the Western Cape – temperatures about 45km from shore can reach 20°C! Finding these warmer waters gives the hatchlings a much better chance of survival and lessens the likelihood of them being shocked by cold water.

TOA Turtle Release Houtbay 3 Des 24 by Willem van den Heever 17 — (Credit: Willem van den Heever)

Once the desired temperature was reached, the hatchlings were returned to the ocean one by one. Each time, the little hatchlings greeted the water with “flying flippers” and quickly zoomed off into the beautiful blue! The team was joined by several wonderful supporters of our Turtle Conservation Centre, including John Dory’s, V&A Waterfront, and St Cyprians School, all of whom got a chance to release a turtle.

Releasing these turtles is a bittersweet moment for the turtle team – significant care and time has gone into their rehabilitation yet releasing them into the ocean is fraught with hazards like plastic pollution, predation, and poaching. This is why it is vital that we work together towards a future where the ocean is a safer place for marine life. You can do this by refusing single-use plastics, supporting conservation efforts, and spreading the message of ocean conservation.

TOA Turtle Release Houtbay 3 Des 24 by Willem van den Heever 8 — (Credit: Willem van den Heever)

Adopt a turtle!

Another way you can contribute to conservation is by adopting a turtle – a few post-hatchlings are still left at the Turtle Conservation Centre! Some of the turtles undergoing rehabilitation were not quite ready to be released as they require some extra care before they will be strong enough to return to the ocean. These little patients offer a wonderful opportunity for our turtle community to support our conservation work (and a perfect festive season gift): Why not adopt a turtle hatchling for yourself or a loved one?

Adopting a turtle is a chance for you to support a turtle hatchling’s rehabilitation journey, as well as to contribute to the survival of an endangered species. And, of course, it’s an unbeatable festive season gift!