YOUNG TURTLES AT RISK
Leatherback turtles nest on SA shores
An unusual number of juvenile leatherback turtles have washed up between East London and Cape Town since February.
The most recent was a tiny leatherback, which is a protected species, found near Coffee Bay over the Easter weekend.
Unfortunately the hatchling, weighing 200g, did not survive the night on Saturday.
Leatherback turtles are one of only two species of turtle that nest on SA shores.
They are the largest of the living species of turtle in the world and can weigh up to 700kg and measure two metres long when fully grown.
According to the Gqeberha ’ s Bayworld oceanarium, turtle hatchling strandings are common along the coast between March and June.
Storms, strong winds and currents can wash the hatchlings into colder waters, where they become what is termed “cold-stunned”, causing them to wash up along the coast.
Ruth Wright, head of the turtle rehabilitation facility at Bayworld, said while strandings were not uncommon, the number of leatherbacks found along the coast in 2021 was perplexing.
“It’s a completely natural phenomenon that often occurs because of the spring tides, winds and storms, but what is very unusual is the number of leatherbacks that have washed up,” she said.
Six washed-up hatchlings had been found since mid-February.
“That doesn’t sound like a lot, but I’ve been at Bayworld for seven years and in that time I think we’ve only ever had six leatherbacks.
“We usually only get about one or two leatherbacks and many more loggerhead turtles, so this season has been very unusual.”
Wright was unsure as to why there was an increase in strandings, but urged the public to be on the lookout for more.
Bayworld has recently successfully rehabilitated an 86g leatherback hatchling that washed up in Jeffreys Bay at the beginning of March.
The hatchling, named Lotus, was released off the coast of East London after spending three weeks at the facility.
He was the first leatherback to be successfully released off the Eastern Cape coast.
Wright said leatherback strandings had been reported along the whole coast in areas such as Mossel Bay, Plettenberg Bay and the Wild Coast in 2021.
East London Museum principal scientist Kevin Cole said more strandings could be expected over the next few months.
“Leatherback turtles nest along the SA coast in Maputaland and northern KwaZulu-Natal between October and February,” he said.
“Incubation is usually between 60 to 65 days, so we can still expect hatchlings to strand depending on sea conditions, state of health and sometimes minor injuries.”
BCM’s acting senior manager of marine and zoological services, Siani Tinley, said leatherbacks were normally found in warm waters of 20°C and higher.
“Leatherbacks are found in warm currents like the Agulhas current,” she said.
“We’re surmising that the cold currents are stunning them and they are disorientated and wash up along the coast. They have all been very small, about 200g.”
She said leatherback turtles had a very specific diet, consisting mainly of bluebottles, making it very difficult to rehabilitate them or keep them in captivity.
“It’s always best to get them strong and release them back into the ocean as soon as possible.”
Tinley urged the public to contact the East London Aquarium or Bayworld should they find any stranded hatchlings.
“If you do find one of these little leatherbacks, temperature is very important and they don’t do very well with the cold.
“We advise to put them in a container with fresh water for under an hour in case they dehydrate.
“But if the water cannot be kept at a temperature higher than 20°C then it’s better to put them on a damp towel so that they don’t dehydrate.
“The best and first step is always to contact an aquarium along the coast.
“All aquariums are experienced, have good working relationships and will be able to help.”
She said contacting an aquarium was also vital because leatherbacks were a protected species and under normal circumstances the public were not allowed to be in possession of the species.
For any turtle strandings, contact the East London Aquarium on 043-705-2637 or Bayworld on 041-584-0650 or 071-724-2122. - DispatchLIVE