Freed Herbie swims south to breed
UShaka releases loggerhead turtle into waters off iSimangaliso’s Sodwana Bay
THE protected waters off iSimangaliso’s Sodwana Bay section in KwaZulu-Natal have become the new home for a rehabilitated adult female loggerhead turtle known as Herbie.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park said in statement that the turtle, named after the popular 1970s movie character, had been a “deeply loved” resident at uShaka Sea World in Durban for over 15 years, prior to being released into the World Heritage Site last month, where many of her kind are found.
Rescued in 2003 from the shark nets off Durban, the young sea turtle (then estimated to be eight years old) was cared for by loving aquarists, both at the old aquarium and then at the new uShaka Sea World, where she became a firm favourite as part of its existing turtle population.
“As she recovered, grew and adapted beautifully to her safe environment, she became an excellent ambassador for her species, helping to educate hundreds of thousands of visitors. Recently she began to dig nests and lay eggs in the aquarium’s beach at uShaka (albeit infertile as she had no mate), indicating her maturity and readiness for a full, independent life,” said South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) conservation strategist Dr Judy Mann.
“As Herbie is now probably in the region of 24 years old, it is time for her to find a suitable partner and lay fertile eggs in the wild. Loggerheads can live for over 80 years and now is a good age for breeding. We are all hoping that she continues to add to the future of the species,” says Mann.
Legendary turtle biologist Dr George Hughes joined the release party and expressed his interest in her journey. He said: “There is a strong possibility that she will find a mate at sea and return to these beaches to lay eggs. If that happens, it will not only be a first for South Africa, but of significant interest to the global turtle research community.”
Entertainer and turtle champion Dr Gcina Mhlophe, who was at the release, said: “The most emotional part was when the box was opened and then she came out, and she actually got excited. When I saw that excitement, I thought – she’s home.”
Herbie is fitted with a satellite transmitter donated by the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, which is fixed to her shell to enable tracking of her progress through the ocean for up to three years. Updates showed that she has already started her journey southward, said Isimangaliso, adding that tags fitted to several other turtles in recent years had provided a tremendous wealth of information to scientists, and enabled them to improve conservation efforts.
The SAAMBR will share regular updates of Herbie’s whereabouts, so the public can be part of her journey.
Sea turtles are one of iSimangaliso’s most iconic animals, with five of the world’s seven species found in our waters. Both the gigantic, warm blooded leatherback turtle and the smaller loggerhead turtle breed along the sandy shores of iSimangaliso, nesting in the mineral-rich beach sand dunes. Hawksbill and green turtles live on the reefs and sea grass beds as juveniles. The rare olive ridley turtle, the smallest sea turtle in the world at 45kg, enters the waters of iSimangaliso, but it is seldom encountered.
Turtles are critically endangered across all oceans, with their populations declining due to over-harvesting for food and turtle shell products.
“They are vulnerable to oil spills, vehicles driving on the beaches where they lay eggs, predation and nest flooding. Boat propellers often inflict serious wounds. Turtles drown because they become entangled in fishing lines and nets. Discarded plastic bags, bottles and wrappers that end up in the ocean look like the turtles’ main prey, jellyfish. If turtles eat them, their digestive systems become blocked and they eventually die,” said the park.
Find out more about Herbie, SAAMBR and the marine world at www.saambr.org.za. To learn more about iSimangaliso’s turtles, join a licensed operator for a tour. Visit isimangaliso.com/activity/turtle-tours for details.