Released loggerhead turtles going strong
FORMER Two Oceans Aquarium residents and rehabilitated loggerhead turtles, Annie and Luis, have spent ten days in the ocean, astonishing trackers by already collectively covering over 2000km.
Luis is the fastest turtle the Aquarium team has ever tracked, covering 120km a day.
“Luis is covering a lot of distance and seems to still be enjoying his time in that nice warm fast-flowing eddy about 120km west of Kommetjie,” Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation chief executive Maryke Musson said.
“He has now covered 1 207km. He is certainly a smart swimmer, and making use of the currents, and has clocked up a turtle Olympic speed of 5km/hour, which is 120km/day on average. This is the fastest turtle we have ever tracked.”
Musson said Annie’s strength was remarkable and gave credit to the rehab team for preparing her so well.
“Annie has found her bearings and seems to be heading for the Agulhas and Alphard banks – great feeding grounds and areas where loggerhead and green turtles are often seen. This is also en route up the east coast to Natal, where she potentially came from originally.
“She is 114km SW of the most southern tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, and 117km SE of the release site. She has covered an incredible 1 111km since release. Yes, that is 111km/day at 4.6km/hour average speed,” she said.
All sea turtles brought into the turtle rehabilitation programme at the Two Oceans Aquarium have been rescued from beaches around the Western Cape. The NSRI works closely with the Aquarium Foundation in terms of rescue and transport.
The most turtles rescued are loggerhead hatchlings from KwaZulu-Natal.