SAAMBR is also participating in a collaborative release of 3 juvenile loggerhead turtles, all rescued between 2019 and 2020, but all presenting various health challenges.  They were all recently cleared for release fitted with satellite tags. They will be released at three different sites along the South African coastline so that their post-rehabilitation and release movements can be compared.

SAAMBR released Donny, named and adopted by Don Hunter, local Durban underwater photographer who joined the release. Donny was rescued in March 2020 and weighed 44.3 g on arrival. She had developed metabolic bone disease due to her compromised immune system and struggled to eat and dive. She spent a long time in the turtle ICU and underwent a range of treatments, including UV light treatment.

“Donny’s body demanded a lot from her to help her get better and she rose to the challenge. Our turtle rehab team can all breathe a sigh of relief knowing that she has championed her own rehabilitation journey” said Talitha Noble, Conservation Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation.