The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation began the year with a dramatic sunfish rescue after a record-sized ocean sunfish became trapped in Sturrock Dry Dock during routine drainage, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Picture: Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation / Facebook
The rescue team secured and lifted the roughly one-ton animal with the help of Teemane Cranes and Dock Master Johan Coetzee, who alerted staff to the fish’s plight.
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Later the same week, the foundation and partner Upwell Turtles released 12 rehabilitated juvenile loggerhead turtles fitted with Lotek micro-satellite tags into warm waters off Cape Point.
The tagging forms part of a wider effort that has now tracked 35 juvenile loggerheads, offering new data on the turtles’ early ocean years.
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Seen through the eyes of our rescue team, these moments offer a unique, behind-the-scenes glimpse into our response,’ said Martine Viljoen, Marine Wildlife Manager, describing the sunfish operation and the teamwork that made it possible.
Picture: Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation / Facebook
Staff emphasised that both events show the value of rapid local response and long-term research working together. The sunfish continues to recover under veterinary care while researchers will monitor the departing juveniles’ journeys via satellite, a collaboration that will inform future conservation work.
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