Report turtle strandings

GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - From now until the middle of the year, sea turtle hatchlings may wash up on the coastline.

These could either be loggerhead or leatherback hatchlings.

The turtles hatch along the KwaZulu-Natal coast and travel southwards in the warm Agulhas current.

In the vicinity of the Southern Cape, the hatchlings sometimes end up outside the current, in the colder water, which they are not used to at all.

The colder water causes them to become hypothermic and leaves them in a severely weakened state.

Residents who spot a turtle, dead or alive, should call the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) urgently.

S.M.A.R.T. says these turtles are on the endangered species list and only individuals with an official permit are allowed to transport them.

Registered S.M.A.R.T. volunteers have been trained in how to deal with turtle hatchlings and every single turtle's information, dead or alive, is captured in the national marine database.

Call S.M.A.R.T. on 072 227 4715
Do not put the turtle back into the water or wet it. In its weakened and hypothermic state it will drown.
Should you have a plastic container, such as an ice cream container, put a dry cloth at the bottom and place the turtle hatchling on top of the cloth. If the container does not have any holes, don't close the lid as the turtle hatchling will suffocate.
Limit all handling and touching of the turtle hatchling.