Why You Should NEVER Return a Stranded Turtle to the Ocean

Our beaches are sanctuaries of beauty, but for some marine creatures, they can become places of distress. In recent months, there has been an increase in the number of stranded turtles found along our shores. While well-meaning beachgoers often attempt to help by returning these turtles to the ocean, experts warn that this instinctive act could be doing more harm than good.

“Turtles strand on beaches because they are in trouble,” says Tracy Whitehead, from the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation ’s Turtle Rescue Network. “Adult stranding season is something we see annually between Sept and Feb along our coast. They may be sick, injured, and simply too weak to survive in the wild and putting them back in the water could very well lead to their death. One major reason for weakness that causes turtles to strand is plastic ingestion and the subsequent inability to feed, plus possible internal infection.”

Why Turtles Wash Ashore

Turtles don’t choose to beach but can become stranded by onshore currents and weather and we are able, to a degree, to predict stranding areas and times by focusing on the weather patterns.

Hatchlings strand when they are pushed into our cold Cape coastal waters by wind and rough seas during hatchling stranding season March to June approx, after having been in the warm Agulhas current since first reaching the ocean after hatching. This causes cold shock and hyperthermia which, in turn, causes dehydration and weakness. They are fortunate if they strand and are found by a rescuer and then brought to us for rehabilitation and release.

How to Respond if You Find a Stranded Turtle

The most crucial advice for anyone encountering a turtle on the beach is simple: .

Call for help

The Turtle Rescue Hotline, +27 (0) 83 300 1663, connects directly to the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Rescue Network, a dedicated team that specialises in rescuing and rehabilitating stranded turtles. In the Mosselbay area, you can also call S.M.A.R.T (Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team) which is part of the Turtle Rescue Network and has lots of local volunteers. Here is their emergency number +27 (0) 72 227 4715. You will be advised on the next steps to take and how.

Move the turtle to safety

Ensure it is out of harm’s way, away from direct sunlight, predators, crashing waves and rocks, and the high-tide line. NOTE: Do this only under guidance. Moving an injured turtle can cause more injury so the situation will be assessed via the call and the rescue hotline representative can plan the best steps with you.

Place the Turtle in a Container on?Dry Towels

Carefully move the turtle to a well-ventilated container or box lined with a soft dry towel. Never lift by the flippers or the edge of the carapace (shell) but always from underneath the belly. Ensure that the turtle remains cool, is not left in a hot vehicle and do not put into water. Turtles breathe air so they are safe out of water during the rescue process and may drown if submerged while weakened.?

Avoid Additional Stress

A stranded turtle is almost always exceptionally weak and hardly moving. Taking selfies by passing the turtle around or handling it unnecessarily is an absolute no-no and the less it's moved around or handled, the better.

Follow Any Further Instructions from the Rescue Team

The Turtle Rescue Network may provide additional guidance based on the turtle’s condition. They will arrange transportation and guide you to a designated drop-off point for immediate care.

The most crucial advice for anyone encountering a turtle on the beach is simple: do not return it to the ocean.

Inside the Turtle Rescue Network

The Turtle Rescue Network, led by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, is at the forefront of turtle conservation in South Africa. Every stranded turtle brought to their care is thoroughly examined and treated at their specialised Turtle Conservation Centre.

“We’ve seen it all. Severe infections, amputations from bites or ghost fishing gear entanglements, and malnourished hatchlings that have ingested plastic,” says Tracy. “But with proper care, many recover and all our turtles are returned to the ocean stronger than ever.”

Rehabilitation often includes weeks, months and sometimes years of medical treatment and monitoring. Upon recovery, some turtles are tagged for release and their journeys contribute vital research to marine conservation. The Foundation doesn’t have the funds to tag every turtle as this is a very expensive exercise.?

What’s at Stake?

Sea turtles are more than just charismatic marine creatures; they are vital players in ocean ecosystems. By grazing on sea sponges and seagrass and transporting nutrients across the sea floor, they maintain the balance of marine habitats, which benefits countless other species, including humans.

However, the pressures of pollution, climate change, coastal development of nesting beaches, and overfishing are taking a toll. Conservation efforts, like those of the Turtle Conservation Centre, are essential to giving this species a fighting chance.

How You Can Help

You play a critical role in turtle conservation. Aside from reporting stranded turtles, you can make a difference by reducing plastic waste, participating in beach cleanups, and raising awareness about the threats facing marine life.

For those who spot a stranded turtle, the message is clear: don’t put it back in the ocean! Send it to experts who can save its life and then return it to its home.

For emergencies and more information, contact the Turtle Rescue Hotline at +27 (0) 83 300 1663 or visit the Two Ocean Aquarium Foundation’s website: https://www.aquarium.co.za/foundation .

By Esther Jacobs, Earth Legacy Foundation

www.earthlegacyfoundation.org?