"This year, rough seas and strong winds have been contributing factors in the stranding of these sea turtles. Since mid-March, the Two Oceans Aquarium has already received 20 of these small turtles, from as far afield as Knysna and Struisbaai, for rehabilitation," says communications officer, Renee Leeuwner of Two Oceans Aquarium, who is calling on all people to keep their eyes open for the little sea turtles and to contact the aquarium if they happen to find one.
Sea turtles are temperate water animals and when they are washed up on Western Cape beaches, they often suffer from hypothermia, dehydration and possibly infection. The Two Oceans Aquarium rehabilitates the stranded turtles and once they are strong and healthy enough, they are sent to uShaka Marine World where they are released into the warmer waters off the KwaZulu-Natal coast.
What to do if you find a turtle on a Western Cape beach:
- Remove the turtle from the beach.
- Keep it dry and at room temperature – DO NOT place the turtle in water.
- Place the turtle in a container that has ample air holes.
- Contact the aquarium on 021 418 3823.
- Make a note of exactly where the turtle was found.
Note that this advice only applies to stranded marine turtles in the Western Cape. Should you come across a turtle elsewhere in South African coast, please contact your local aquarium or animal rehabilitation centre.
For further information, www.aquarium.co.za/blog/entry/stranded_turtles_what_to_do.
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