THE RIGHT CALL

When concerned bystanders noticed a turtle in the surf at La Mercy on the KwaZulu-Natal coast, they called Station 41 (Ballito) to assist. While the outcome may not have been the desired one, valuable lessons regarding the fragility of our oceans’ creatures were highlighted, writes Cherelle Leong

It was mid-afternoon on Sunday 18 April 2021, when Station 41 (Ballito) station commander Quentin Power received a call from concerned members of the public. They were on the beach at La Mercy and had spotted what appeared to be a turtle floundering in the backline of the surf.

Two crew were immediately dispatched to determine whether the turtle was in fact in need of assistance and not just resting. While the Sea Rescue crew were mobilising, a kite surfer made the decision to assist and was able to bring the turtle through the surf onto the beach where it could rest.

When the crew arrived, they made a preliminary assessment of the turtle’s condition. The bystanders had been right to make the call, as the turtle appeared to be very weak. There were quite a number of bite marks on her shell as well as several soft spots under her shell, indicating a possible infection. Her head and shell were covered in barnacles, indicating that she had probably been floating on the surface for some time, unable to dive for food.

STRANDING NETWORK

Sea Rescue Ballito is part of the stranding network that assists KZN Wildlife, uShaka Sea World Aquarium and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) with distressed animals that wash up on the KwaZulu-Natal shoreline. In recent months they’ve assisted with four seals and three turtles, of

Wasabi is a green turtle that was rescued in Cape Town. She is still in the care of uShaka Sea World, where she enjoys munching on sea lettuce, getting back scratches and distracting her caregivers.

which this was one. This turtle was originally given the nickname Gary, but after it was determined that Gary was in fact a female, its name was changed to Gabby.

Realising that the turtle would require rehabilitation before being released back into the ocean, uShaka Sea World was informed that there was a green turtle in need of medical attention. They confirmed that they had a vet on duty who would be able to receive the turtle and a tank available – one specifically used to house marine animals in need of recovery. This was fortunate, as the turtle would need to be kept in isolation until the cause of her condition could be determined.

COMPROMISED SYSTEM

The Sea Rescue Ballito crew helped settle the turtle by cleaning the sand out of her eyes and then transported her to uShaka Sea World. On arrival there, she was given a thorough medical assessment by the vet and staff on duty, and a course of antibiotics to help fight off infection.

Gabby was already very weak when she was taken into the care of uShaka Sea World. The vast number of barnacles that covered her indicated that she had been floating for months. Some were even found on her head and up her nasal cavity. While she did respond to the first course of antibiotics and started eating on her own, her red blood cell count remained very low. Medical investigations revealed no ingestion of plastic or other blockages, but her system was compromised.

At an estimated age of about six years, Gabby was not very old by turtle standards – not even a fully mature adult – yet all indications were that she had been ill for some time. Like humans, marine animals are prone to parasites and their health can be influenced by any number of environmental factors. She was given a second course of antibiotics and fought valiantly for two months, but unfortunately eventually her body simply wasn’t strong enough to recover. She died at the end of June. An autopsy showed that she had extensive tissue damage to her internal organs. While further tests were undertaken to determine the specific cause of death, at the time of writing the histopathology results had not yet been received.

The staff at uShaka Sea World were devastated that Gabby did not make it. Her story is a stark reminder that, while we can put every effort into saving these beautiful marine animals, sometimes their illness or injuries are so far advanced that a recovery is not possible. Regardless, the team at uShaka are committed to never giving up, to make every effort to save each sea creature that is brought to them in need of medical care.

No one knows exactly how long Gabby had been ill, adrift on the currents, before she washed ashore – but the public did the right thing in raising the alarm. Unless they’re nesting, turtles in South Africa should never be on the beach. If they are, it’s an indication that they’re unwell. Trying to return distressed turtles to the ocean will only add to their exhausted state, as they will not be able to battle their way through the surf. Rather, people are urged to contact the stranding network – uShaka Sea World, KZN Wildlife, SAAMBR or Sea Rescue – who will be able to assist to get the medical care the turtle most likely needs.

LOKI’S STORY

Since the start of 2021 Sea Rescue has assisted with four turtle rescues, including Loki which is the most recent. On Thursday 1 July, a male green turtle was transported to uShaka Sea World by Ballito station commander Quentin Power. The turtle had been found on the beach at Zinkwazi by local fishermen who had then alerted Sea Rescue. As part of the KwaZulu-Natal Stranding Network, Sea Rescue is often called to assist marine animals in distress and help transport them to facilities such as uShaka where they can be medically assessed, treated and rehabilitated with the end goal being to release them back into the ocean. As another of Quentin’s rescue patients, the turtle was named Loki. An external examination showed no signs of physical injury. However, he appeared to be exhausted and was also positively buoyant, which is not a natural or healthy state for a green turtle to be in. Unlike Gabby, he did not have any barnacles attached to his carapace which indicated that he had not been floating on the ocean surface for any length of time. Despite Loki’s initial unresponsiveness, these were all positive indicators that he had a chance at recovery. As part of further diagnostics Loki underwent an X-ray the following day which revealed that one of his lungs was significantly larger than the other. This was an indication of a possible lung infection which fortunately is treatable. He is currently being kept in a shallow pool while he receives medical care and regains his strength. The team at uShaka Sea World are cautiously optimistic that he will be able to make a full recovery. Following his rehabilitation, it is hoped that Loki will be released back into the ocean in a few months’ time.

If you find marine animals and birds in distress along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline please contact your nearest NSRI station. Other numbers to have handy are:

• South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR): 031 328 8222

• KZN Wildlife: 033 845 1999

• uShaka Sea World Aquarium: 031 328 8222