TURTLE STRANDING SEASON ALERT

WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER RETURN A STRANDED TURTLE TO THE OCEAN

As Turtle Stranding Season approaches from March to June, South African beaches become crucial rescue zones for vulnerable turtle hatchlings. Each year, strong winds and rough seas push these tiny creatures into the cold Cape coastal waters after drifting along the warm Agulhas Current. The sudden drop in temperature leads to cold shock and hypothermia, leaving them dehydrated, weak, and unable to survive without intervention.

In 2023, the Turtle Conservation Centre achieved a remarkable milestone rehabilitating and releasing over 600 hatchlings, giving them a second chance at life in the ocean.

But hatchlings aren’t the only ones at risk. Adult turtles also strand along the Southern African coastline, often due to injuries, illness, or plastic ingestion. While the natural instinct might be to return a stranded turtle to the ocean, experts warn that this well-meaning action can be fatal.

WHY DO TURTLES STRAND?

Turtles do not willingly beach themselves they strand when they are in distress. For hatchlings, cold waters and rough seas are the primary threats, leading to life-threatening hypothermia. Adult turtles, however, may strand due to illness, injuries, or plastic ingestion, which can block their ability to feed and cause internal infections.

"Adult turtle strandings occur annually between September and February along our coast," explains Tracy Whitehead from the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Rescue Network. "Many are sick, injured, or too weak to survive in the wild. If they are simply placed back in the water, they could die. One major cause of weakness is plastic ingestion, which prevents turtles from feeding and often leads to severe infections."

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A STRANDED TURTLE

The most important rule: NEVER return a stranded turtle to the ocean.

Whether you’re a diver surfacing from a dive or a beachgoer enjoying the shore, encountering a stranded turtle calls for immediate action. Here’s how you can help:

1. Call for Help

Turtle Rescue Hotline: +27 (0) 83 300 1663. This number connects directly to the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Rescue Network

2. Move the Turtle to Safety if Advised

Under guidance from the rescue team, ensure the turtle is out of harm’s way away from predators, direct sunlight, strong waves, and the high-tide line.

Be gentle: Moving an injured turtle incorrectly can worsen its condition.

3. Place the Turtle in a Container with Dry Towels

Use a well-ventilated box lined with soft, dry towels.

Always lift the turtle from underneath its belly avoid grabbing its flippers or the edges of its shell.

Do NOT place the turtle in water weak turtles can drown if submerged.

4. Stress

Handle the turtle as little as possible.

No selfies or excessive handling stress can further weaken a stranded turtle.

5. Follow Rescue Team Instructions

The Turtle Rescue Network will provide further guidance and arrange transport to a designated drop-off point.

INSIDE THE TURTLE RESCUE NETWORK

The Turtle Rescue Network, operated by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, is a lifeline for stranded turtles. Every rescued turtle undergoes thorough medical care, which may take weeks, months, or even years.

"We’ve seen it all," says Tracy Whitehead "Severe infections, amputations from ghost fishing gear, and hatchlings suffering from malnutrition due to plastic ingestion. But with proper care, most turtles recover, and all are released back into the ocean stronger than ever."

To aid conservation efforts, many rehabilitated turtles are tagged before release, providing valuable tracking data. However, limited funding restricts the ability to tag every turtle.

TURTLES AND THE DIVING COMMUNITY

Divers often share a deep connection with sea turtles, cherishing their underwater encounters. These ancient mariners play a critical role in marine ecosystems, helping maintain healthy seagrass beds, coral reefs, and nutrient cycles.

Yet, sea turtles face increasing threats from plastic pollution, climate change, and ghost fishing gear. In South Africa, key dive hotspots like Aliwal Shoal, Sodwana Bay, and Protea Banks are prime habitats for sea turtles but they’re also areas where divers may encounter stranded individuals.

"Every turtle rescued and rehabilitated is a step towards sustaining marine biodiversity," says Esther Jacobs from the Earth Legacy Foundation. "The ocean community’s swift action and conservation efforts like those of the Turtle Rescue Network are crucial to giving these animals a fighting chance."

HOW DIVERS CAN HELP

Report Strandings – Save the Turtle Rescue Hotline in your phone and immediately report any stranded turtles.

Stay Observant – Look out for turtles in distress while diving, such as those entangled in ghost gear or showing signs of illness. Report any concerns to marine conservation organisations.

Reduce Plastic Pollution – Participate in dive clean-ups to remove marine debris that poses a direct threat to sea turtles and other marine life.

FOR EMERGENCIES AND MORE INFORMATION

Phone: +27(0)833001663

Website: www.earthlegacyfoundation.org