At the Turtle Conservation Centre at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, every rescued sea turtle represents both a challenge and a chance at recovery.
Image: Two Oceans Aquarium
For Habanero, an adult loggerhead turtle rescued along the Western Cape coastline, that journey recently involved a major surgical procedure that may ultimately save his life.
Habanero was found stranded in Witsand in February 2025 in an extremely weakened condition. According to the rehabilitation team, the turtle was covered in thousands of parasitic leeches and their eggs, leaving him severely anaemic and struggling to survive. After extensive treatment and careful monitoring, his condition slowly began to stabilise.
Image: Two Oceans Aquarium
But another serious problem soon emerged.
Initial X-rays revealed severe damage to Habanero’s left elbow joint, believed to have been caused by a chronic infection. Veterinary specialists performed diagnostic tests and surgery in an attempt to clean and treat the infected area, while targeted antibiotics were administered over several months. Despite these efforts, follow-up scans later showed that the infection had not improved and had begun spreading elsewhere in his body.
Image: Two Oceans Aquarium
Faced with worsening complications, the veterinary team made the difficult decision to amputate Habanero’s front left flipper.
The procedure took place in December 2025, led by turtle veterinarian Dr Bernice van Huyssteen with assistance from a specialised veterinary team. Habanero was transported from the aquarium’s rehabilitation facility to an external veterinary clinic in Kraaifontein, where the surgery was performed under general anaesthetic.
According to the team, the operation confirmed the severity of the infection. A large mass of necrotic tissue was discovered within the damaged joint, reinforcing the need for the amputation. Following surgery, Habanero spent several days recovering in a temperature-controlled recovery space while receiving fluids, pain management treatment and antibiotics.
Image: Two Oceans Aquarium
Since returning to the rehabilitation pools, the loggerhead has gradually adapted to swimming with three flippers.
The conservation team says his surgical wound is healing well, and recent scans have shown no evidence of new infection sites developing elsewhere in his body. While his long-term prognosis remains cautious, staff remain hopeful that removing the original infection source will give Habanero the best possible chance at recovery.
Sea turtle rehabilitation is often a lengthy and complex process. The Turtle Conservation Centre, operated by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, rescues and rehabilitates stranded turtles from across the South African coastline before releasing healthy animals back into the wild.
Habanero’s story joins a growing list of resilient turtles overcoming severe injuries through rehabilitation. Previous patients, including amputee turtles like Bokkie, have successfully returned to the ocean after months of treatment and recovery.
Image: Two Oceans Aquarium
For now, Habanero remains under close veterinary observation in Cape Town. Though he may move differently through the water, his recovery continues to offer a hopeful reminder of the impact conservation teams can have on endangered marine wildlife.
(Source: Two Oceans Aquarium)
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