Researchers pack turtle power

PEMBA, an adult Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) made history this week as the first Olive Ridley turtle to be satellite tagged and released off the South African coast.

uShaka Sea World confirmed that Pemba was released back into the ocean on Thursday, after being found stranded on a beach in the Cape in early 2014.

When she was rescued, Pemba was taken to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town where she recovered from the debilitating infection and shell fracture that caused her to strand.

But she remained positively buoyant and unable to dive below the surface of the water.

As a result, the turtle could not be released until she could dive deep enough for her to find her food. Olive Ridley turtles feed mainly on crustaceans.

So she was flown to uShaka Sea World in 2016, where staff have spent the past 16 months working with her and slowly but surely, Pemba began to dive deeper and deeper.

The team began preparing for her return to the ocean and now, four years after stranding, the release took place at Mabibi in iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. Within the park are many inshore and offshore reefs that are considered ideal turtle release sites as there are abundant foraging grounds with minimal human impact.

Olive Ridley turtles are uncommon along the beaches of KwaZulu-Natal and, unlike the loggerhead and leatherback turtles, they do not nest on local beaches. Small populations of this species of turtle are found off northern Mozambique, Tanzania and northwest Madagascar.

Pemba was fitted with a satellite tag which was attached to her carapace before being released.

In a statement yesterday, the team from uShaka Sea World and Two Oceans Aquarium responsible for her recovery, said, “this satellite tag will allow us to track where she goes according to GPS co-ordinates transmitted from the tag”. It is hoped she would make her way up the east coast, or across to Madagascar where other Olive Ridley turtles occur.

“Wherever she goes she will help us to understand more about these elusive and endangered animals, knowledge that will help us to care for them in their ocean realm.

“We wish Pemba a wonderful return to the ocean where she may well help us to unlock some of the ocean’s secrets.”

ADVENTURE: Research scientists hope Pemba will travel up the east coast of Africa or across to Madagascar. FAREWELL: Pemba the turtle back in the ocean and setting off with a satellite tag attached to her carapace.

EXCITED: Malini Pather of uShaka Sea World with Dr George Hughes and Kevin Spiby of the Two Oceans Aquarium release Pemba the turtle, on Thursday, at Mabibi, iSimangaliso Wetlands Park.