On a blustery day in October 2020, a loggerhead turtle hatchling washed ashore on a Western Cape beach. The turtle had hatched just weeks previously on the northern shores of KwaZulu-Natal, emerging from the depths of its sandy nest before running a gauntlet of hungry predators en route to the ocean.
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In the warmth of the Agulhas Current, the turtle flew down South Africa’s east coast. As he neared the Cape, he battled the rough, icy seas and lost. Stranded on an isolated beach, cold and dehydrated, the little turtle awaited the worst. But keen eyes, a caring heart, and gentle hands were soon on the scene, and the turtle was on his way to safety. This was the beginning of Kai’s story, but it is not a unique tale.
From the moment they hatch, loggerhead turtles must fight to survive. The size of a matchbox, they are powerless against the flow of the currents and make an easy snack for passing predators. Many turtles mistake floating microplastics for food, a meal that will kill them before it sustains them.
Even if they survive these first obstacles, the hatchlings are not out of the woods yet. It takes up to 35 years for loggerhead turtles to reach breeding age – over three decades in which predation, pollution, and poaching threaten their daily lives. All seven species of turtle are threatened, with extinction a very real possibility as human impact on the ocean worsens their odds every day. The work of the Turtle Conservation Centre at the Two Oceans Aquarium moves the needle: Each turtle rescued, rehabilitated, and released means a chance that they will go on to produce the next generation, giving their endangered species a second chance.
It’s been nearly five years since Kai was rescued by caring members of the Turtle Rescue Network, and his rehabilitation has been fraught with difficulties and triumphs. He weighed just 53g when he arrived at the Turtle Conservation Centre, a severe lung infection crippling his balance and ability to swim. With the help of X-ray, CT, and MRI scans, the veterinary team discovered that he had unevenly sized lungs, which caused Kai to be unbalanced in his swimming patterns and led to him developing uneven muscle tone.
Over the years, Kai’s treatment has included pulmonary physiotherapy, which used vibrations to encourage the growth of his stunted lung, swimming exercises to promote fitness, and a combination of ballast weights and floatation devices fitted to his shell to increase equilibrium. Together, these methods have improved Kai’s range of motion, relieved tension in his muscles, increased blood flow to compromised tissues, and corrected his balance and stability. Throughout, Kai has relied not only on the dedication of the Turtle Conservation Centre team but also on the support of visitors to the Two Oceans Aquarium.
“Kai’s story exemplifies the power of community – from his rescue back in 2020 to today. Since Kai was introduced to the I&J Ocean Exhibit as part of the final phase of his rehabilitation, visitors to the Two Oceans Aquarium have been delighted to see him in the space. Many may not realise that the cost of their entrance ticket contributes to the conservation of turtles like Kai,” says Talitha Noble-Trull, Turtle Conservation Centre Manager.
The Turtle Conservation Centre’s work forms a part of global efforts to keep turtle populations from fading to nothing. By purchasing a ticket to the Two Oceans Aquarium, not only are you entering an enchanting underwater world where learning and conservation go hand-in-hand, but you are also contributing towards giving turtles like Kai a happy ending.
Almost five years after he was rescued, Kai weighs an impressive 66kg and calls the I&J Ocean Exhibit his temporary home while the team at the Turtle Conservation Centre readies him for eventual release. For visitors, the I&J Ocean Exhibit offers an escape from the bustle of reality, perfectly emulating the feeling of peace and weightlessness that only the ocean can provide. For Kai, the space is the final step towards returning to his ocean home. Thanks to every visitor who supports the Two Oceans Aquarium, that day is drawing ever closer.
Find out more at aquarium.co.za.
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