On 4 February 2025, a loggerhead turtle was found stranded on the sand of Betty’s Bay and needed assistance. The dire situation made it clear that the average beachgoer is perhaps apprehensive about what to do when these traumatic events occur.
An adult loggerhead turtle found entangled in a buoy on a beach near Betty’s Bay on 4 February 2025.
In another case by the Betty’s Bay Turtle Rescue Network, Cape Nature officials and Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue Centre staff carried a stranded turtle for hours, waiting for an emergency response.
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre observed the case and did all they could, but the turtle was later pronounced dead. It was determined that the turtle was likely in an entanglement infested with leeches, which made her anaemic.
Tracy Whitehead, the Turtle Rescue Network Coordinator, has made a statement regarding what protocol to follow and which entity to contact:
“The trauma of stranding leaves turtles extremely vulnerable to drowning if they are unable to surface for breath. Instead, rescuers should phone the Turtle Rescue Hotline (083 300 1663) and keep the turtle sheltered from sun and wind while they wait for further instruction”.
The guidelines have been issued as the following, and the organisation implores individuals to follow procedure when they happen upon a turtle in distress:
- Do not attempt to drag or throw the turtle back into the ocean.
- Contact the Turtle Rescue Hotline on 083 300 1663 (Western Cape) immediately.
- If you want to help the Turtle Rescue Network, you can lift the turtle gently from its underside and move it away from the sun and wind.
- The organisation will then transport the distressed creature to the Turtle Conservation Centre for further assessment of its injuries.
What to do if you encounter a turtle on the beach?
ALSO READ: Nearly 100 pilot whales die in mass stranding in Western Australia
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