Rescued turtle named Rambo becomes star of EL aquarium
ATINY turtle that was found washed up in a poorly state on Kidd’s Beach two years ago has become one of the stars of the East London Aquarium.
Rambo the loggerhead turtle has thrived thanks to the care he has received from aquarium staff and was recently relocated from the “nursery” to a roomy tank in the public viewing area he shares with a handful of frilly devil firefish and a soapfish.
Buffalo City Metro (BCM) chief of marine services Siani Tinley said Rambo had been rehabilitated by having the correct water temperature and eating nutritious fish blocks.
Rambo was found by Brendan Cole, an academic working in the UK at the time, who was on holiday at Kidd’s Beach.
“He was a very tiny hatchling, surrounded by gulls who had pecked him and one of his flippers was injured. He was clearly in distress,” said Cole, who tried to introduce him back into the ocean.
“I put him in a sheltered pool and he tried to swim out to sea, but he was too exhausted and was probably dehydrated. Maybe his turtle adrenaline just wasn’t enough.”
Cole had no transport to the aquarium and kept the little creature overnight.
“In the morning he was hardly moving, but he was a survivor and clearly had a strong instinct to survive.
“I took him to the aquarium and they have done a great job with him. I’m really impressed with them,” said Cole, who now lives in Rhodes village.
“I have been to visit him a few times and he’s whizzing around the tank.
“He’s really cute and has such character.”
When the Daily Dispatch visited his tank, the gutsy turtle, who is now about 20cm long, was swimming speedily, investigating rocks and flitting among his tankmates.
Animal keeper Ilse Rheeder said the feisty turtle now had an “awesome appetite”.
“At feeding time he swims up to the surface with his mouth wide open waiting for his food . . . He eats like a horse – even though he’s a turtle,” quipped Tinley.
When Rambo gets bigger he will move to the aquarium’s main tank, and when he is about 40cm long, he will be released by Bayworld’s turtle release programme in Port Elizabeth. — barMAIN barah@dispatch.co.za