In a story that highlights the power of collaboration in wildlife conservation, Andy, a large male green turtle, has been returned to the uMzimkhulu Estuary after a month-long period of observation and care. 

This rescue mission not only emphasises the importance of protecting our oceanic friends but also underscores the scientific value of tracking their movements along the KwaZulu-Natal coastline.

Andy was rescued alongside a large female green turtle, which was trapped in a cordoned-off section of the uMzimkhulu Estuary. It was discovered that during the construction of the uMzimkhulu Bridge, workers unknowingly trapped two mature green sea turtles by adjusting the river mouth.

The female was released shortly after her rescue, while the male turtle, Andy, weighing almost 110kg, was transported to uShaka Sea World for observation, DNA sampling, and satellite tagging.

South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) Ann Kunz highlighted the rare opportunity presented by a large green turtle.

Scientists seldom track male sea turtles along the KZN coastline, making this particular turtle’s movements a valuable chance to study the oceanic behaviour of male green turtles.

“We named this valuable turtle Andy, after Andy Coetzee, who assisted in the planning and rescue of both animals cordoned-off estuary,” Kunz said. 

She said that before Andy was returned to the estuary, he was fitted with four different tags. 

“A flipper tag which will serve as a unique external identifier, an acoustic tag which will ping the series of acoustic receivers along the southern African coast, a PIT tag, which is retained for long periods under the skin and can assist later identification, and finally, a satellite tag for long-distance tracking,” Kunz explained.

“We are hopeful that the satellite tag, which was kindly donated by Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, will transmit information regarding his location and movements for as long as two years, depending on battery life and tag retention.” 

Turtle rehabilitation specialist Timothy Smith said: “Andy was an easy patient as he was in excellent condition, fed well, and exhibited normal behaviours.” 

uShaka Sea World Quarantine and Sea Turtle Rehabilitation lead aquarist Malini Pather noted at the time of the rescue that male sea turtles rarely return to land, as there is no biological reason for them to do so. This makes information about their health and behaviour limited, as they spend most of their lives at sea.

She said the plan for Andy was to conduct a series of basic diagnostics, including blood sampling, radiographs, and potentially ultrasound examinations.

Faecal samples will also be collected. The tests would provide a valuable snapshot of key health parameters in green turtles. DNA would be extracted from the blood samples for further genetic analysis.

thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za

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