Update
MOSSEL BAY NEWS - In a tragic ending to the rescue of a hawksbill turtle from Hartenbos River Mouth on Sunday, 10 November, the turtle died the following evening.
The critically endangered hawksbill turtle was found, covered in barnacles, by Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) volunteer, Michael de Nobrega on Sunday afternoon while he and his two sons were walking along the beach with their dog.
De Nobrega alerted the rest of the S.M.A.R.T. team members on their WhatsApp group and immediately transported the turtle to the Hartenbos Animal Hospital for veterinarian Dr Frans de Graaff to examine.
De Graaff told Mossel Bay Advertiser on Monday that the turtle was a sub-adult male and came in "severely dehydrated and malnourished, with wounds on its hind flippers".
Dr Frans de Graaff examines the hawksbill turtle
at Hartenbos Animal Hospital. Photo: Michael de Brega
He noted: "He was covered in barnacles, soft corals and various algae species. We rehydrated him and managed to remove most of the barnacles and organisms on his top carapace (shell).”
At the time of the interview last Monday, De Graaff added: "We gave him various fresh water baths to help with his recovery. He is doing well and is fit to move to the Two Oceans Aquarium this afternoon (Monday)."
Tracy Whitehead, in rescue coordination at the Turtle Conservation Centre at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, said the turtle, unfortunately, did not make it through Monday evening.
She said the turtle was incredibly sick and had been for a long time. The centre has a 90% success rate when it comes to the survival and rehabilitation of turtles and it was heart breaking to the team that this turtle did not survive, Whitehead said.
"We are very grateful to Dr De Graaff as well as S.M.A.R.T. for their support and their immediate action to help."
In late September, Mossel Bay Advertiser reported on a hawksbill turtle rescued by S.M.A.R.T. from Bay View Beach. Unfortunately, the turtle did not survive.
The hawksbill turtle is listed as critically endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and can be found in the waters of 108 countries, with nesting occurring in 70 countries.
They do not nest in South Africa, but can enter our waters while searching for subtropical feeding grounds. If you spot any stranded marine animals, report them to S.M.A.R.T. (072 227 4715). If you see any turtles, you can also contact Two Oceans Aquarium's 24-hour hotline (083 300 1663).
Previous articles:
- Hawksbill turtle rescued, treated, being sent to CT for rehabilitation
- Critically endangered turtle found on beach
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
