MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Concerted efforts to treat and save a loggerhead sea turtle that had washed up on Hartenbos Beach on Sunday 22 March ended in heartache when she died later that evening.
On Sunday morning, the Hartenbos Animal Hospital’s veterinary nurse and turtle ambassador, Sr Stefanie de Graaff, received a call about a large turtle stranded on the Hartenbos Beach.
According to the Hartenbos Animal Hospital’s Facebook page, the entire De Graaff family, including veterinarian Dr Frans de Graaff, headed out to the location, due to the size of the creature.
“We arrived on the scene and confirmed it was a loggerhead sea turtle adult with no signs of severe external injuries,” said the hospital in its post.
"We also started testing for reflexes and signs of life. This can be difficult to check on sea turtles, and it was decided to bring her to the Hartenbos Animal Hospital to do further tests.”
After a long walk to the car with the help of some Good Samaritans, the De Graaff family was able to transport and deliver her safely to the hospital.
Sr Stefanie and Dr Frans de Graaff of the Hartenbos Animal Hospital with the loggerhead sea turtle on Hartenbos Beach on Sunday morning. Photo: Hartenbos Animal Hospital
“At the hospital, we confirmed she was alive and started with stabilisation treatments. We were in direct communication with the turtle team from Two Oceans Aquarium and received advice on some treatments for stabilisation,” said the hospital.
The turtle was monitored for the rest of the day and the evening, however, she did not make it through the night.
The hospital thanked everyone who helped with the rescue and the assistance they received.
The turtle was carried to a vehicle and then transported to the Hartenbos Animal Hospital. Photo: Hartenbos Animal Hospital
According to Two Oceans Aquarium’s website, loggerhead sea turtles are a vulnerable species. In South Africa, loggerheads hatch on the coast of northern KwaZulu-Natal in late summer and early autumn. These turtles’ stranding season is observed along the Western Cape coastline from March onwards.
If you spot any stranded turtles, contact the Hartenbos Animal Hospital on 044 695 1086. If you spot any other marine animals in distress, contact the Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team on 072 227 4715 or the Garden Route SPCA’s Mossel Bay branch on 044 693 0824.
The loggerhead was taken to the Hartenbos Animal Hospital. Photo: Hartenbos Animal Hospital
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