It’s Turtle Hatchling Season, and the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation in partnership with Cape Nature have given us the low down on what this season is all about, as well as how we can help a little turtle along the way.
The season of hatchlings comes around from March to July every year in the Western Cape. Turtle Hatchling Season is also linked to Stranding Season, and this is where the tiny rescue missions with a big impact occur!
Reasons for Turtle Hatchling Strandings
This year, the teams were wildly busy at their rescue facilities as they prepped for new turtle arrivals. These included our shelled friends who have been injured, dehydrated or have hypothermia as The Aquarium Foundation’s Martine Viljoen explains.
The turtle rescue map
Imperative to turtle rescues is the coastal network, which aids in all missions to rescue turtles stranded along the coastline via the Turtle Network Points. It’s at these locations that resources and assistance are available to get stranded turtles the help they need.
The Turtle Road Trip 2022
As part of the Turtle Road Trip of 2022, the teams will be visiting areas along the coastal network where they’ll share knowledge and raise awareness en-route. Another keen focus for this year are training workshops, set to be held in:
- Wildnerness (covering Plett, Knysna, Buffelsbaai and Sedgefield area)
- Mossel Bay
- Vleesbaai
- Stillbaai
- Witsand and Infanta
- De Hoop Nature reserve
- Arniston
- De Mond
- Struisbaai
- Agulhas
Awareness materials are planned to be dropped off along the journey, teaming up with Consol Glass.
The signage cherry on top
Today is additionally a special day for the teams as The Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation and Cape Nature are unveiling the first of what they hope to be one of many educational signage for turtle conservation.
The signage has been developed in important recognition of Struisbaai in the Turtle Rescue Network.
Struisbaai – the heart of the rescues
Struisbaai has always been a hotspot for hatchling strandings and doubles as the location where some of most committed rescuers are situated.
Studies of the shape of the coastline, winds and ocean currents all factor in to explain why this is the case. This clearer understanding enables them to really empower the people of this area through sharing knowledge, materials and providing them with their full support to assist in the successful rescue of every turtle that may ‘strand’ there, as Martine explains.
What to do if you find a turtle hatchling:
Also read:
Cape Town’s finest lead the way to the shipwreck find of the Century
Picture: Supplied