Statement from Bayworld on what to do if you find turtles washing up on the beach:
Every year between October and March, Loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and Leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) emerge from the warm waters of the Indian Ocean to nest on the northern beaches of Kwazulu Natal. Females lay hundreds of eggs that hatch after about 60 days. The newly hatched turtles swim and feed in the warm waters of the Agulhas current and the Indian Ocean.
In the months between March and June, storms, strong winds and currents can sweep many turtle hatchlings into the colder water where they get “cold-stunned” and become severely hypothermic. These turtle hatchlings then wash up along the beaches from Cape Town to East London.
If you come across a stranded sea turtle on the beach:-
• The turtle will be compromised and unable to swim properly, please do not return it to the ocean.
• Place the turtle in a small container, ice cream dish, box etc with a small amount of wet sand on the bottom.
• Contact or bring the turtle to the closest sea turtle rehabilitation centre as quickly as possible:
o Port Elizabeth: Bayworld (041 584 0650, or the stranding Hotline on 071 724 2122).
o East London: East London Aquarium (043 705 2637)
o South Coast, Plettenberg Bay and surrounds: Mossel Bay Aquarium (044 691 9066) or Tenikwa Wildlife Center (044 534 8170)
o Cape Town and surrounds: Two Oceans Aquarium (021 418 3823)
o Durban and surrounds: uShaka Marine World (031 328 8000)
In nature only 2 in every 1000 turtles will survive to reach adulthood. In reality there will be fewer survivors because of mankind’s impact on the ocean. You can make a difference, please help us with protecting our turtles
