The Two Oceans Aquarium has urged fishermen and beachgoers to be on the look out for stranded sea turtles along the Overstrand beaches.
The Turtle Stranding Network said that stranding of bigger turtles is increasing again which is a pattern for this time of the year.
“Large stranded turtles can seem dead but please give the Turtle Rescue Hotline a call on 083 300 1663 so they can double and triple check whether they are alive or not.”
Two Oceans Aquarium turtle rescue co-ordinator, Tracy Whitehead, said the rescue of adult turtles is hugely important as most are well on their way to being sexually mature so able to help the survival of the species once released again.
Whitehead confirmed that they rescued a sub-adult Green turtle off the beach in De Hoop Nature Reserve earlier in the week.
Meet Geri, the three-flippered green sea turtle in the care of the #AquariumFoundation! đ˘ This 48kg #endangered green #seaturtle was rescued near Paternoster – quite an unusual location for green turtle strandings!
Support Geri and other turtles here: https://t.co/y033G4R5kA pic.twitter.com/AuG27l2FmQ
â Two Oceans Aquarium (@2OceansAquarium) September 21, 2021
“This is our third adult rescue for September and our 11th for this year so far,” she said.
The Turtle Rescue Team has requested residents to please share and save the TURTLE RESCUE HOTLINE 083 300 1663 to report stranded turtles.
Alternatively residents can phone the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary – APSS in Gansbaai on 072 598 7117 or the Environmental Management Section of Overstrand Municipality on 028 316 3724 (o/h) or the 24h Control Room 028 313 8000/8111 or 24h Emergency Control Room on 028 8980 (a/h).