The Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation have urged Capetonians to help with the rescue of sea turtle hatchlings that are washing up on Western Cape beaches.
According to the foundation, this is an annual occurrence as loggerhead sea turtles hatch on the beaches of Northern KwaZulu-Natal and are then swept South by the Agulhas current.
“Due to injury, dehydration and hypothermia, some of these hatchlings, unfortunately, wash up on the beaches around the Western Cape.
“A large number of hatchlings have already been brought to the Aquarium this year from as far as Plettenberg Bay and as close as Muizenberg,” the foundation said.
The Aquarium Foundation further called on all beachgoers to be extra vigilant and to keep their eyes open for these tiny turtles after nearly all of the sea turtles that have been brought to the Aquarium for rehabilitation were rescued by members of the public.
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What to do when you find a sea turtle on a Western Cape beach:
- Do NOT put the sea turtle back in the water
- Find your nearest Turtle Rescue Network Point (find out more here), and call the sea turtle rescue hotline on 083 300 1663
- Place the sea turtle in a dry container with air holes and a dry towel
- Keep the sea turtle at room temperature, out of direct sunlight and wind
- Get to the Turtle Rescue Network Point as quickly as possible and follow the instructions provided by the hotline
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Picture: @rovesouthafrica/ Twitter