GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - During March, there were a number of notifications about turtle hatchlings on the beach in Fransmanshoek.

This was due to the rough seas throughout the month.

In a monthly report, the Fransmanshoek Conservancy noted that the loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles nest along the northern KwaZulu-Natal coast in the summer, during which thousands of turtle hatchlings enter the warm and fast-flowing Agulhas current.

Some of these hatchlings then wash up on Western Cape beaches, usually very weak, dehydrated and cold.

These baby turtles require a lot of care and often medical intervention to save their lives.

If any turtle is found on the beach you should contact the nearest Turtle Network Point, where the safe transport of these little patients is organised by the coordinator to the hospital at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Fransmanshoek Conservancy is part of these Turtle Network Points.

The conservancy warns not to put the turtle back into the water.

If the turtle is injured, shocked, or dehydrated, it won't be able to swim away. The hatchlings would then stay at the hospital until after winter. This allows them to heal and grow bigger and stronger before release the following summer, when the ocean is warm again.

For more information, see www.aquarium.co.za/foundation/conservation/turtle-conservation-centre.

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