It took a unique medical procedure and a whole lot of heart, but we are overjoyed to share that Finley the Loggerhead has officially moved from critical to stable!
Durban, South Africa (26 February 2026) – We love seeing a vulnerable soul who has endured so much be met with the compassion they need to not just survive, but truly heal and thrive.
If you’re a fan of our feel-good animal stories, you may remember coming across a story about a resilient loggerhead turtle, rescued in Richards Bay – Finley!
She was rescued in December, and her initial diagnostics by the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) revealed several areas of concern, which confirmed that she was indeed in need of medical intervention.
“When Finley arrived, she was underweight, lethargic, and although she started feeding shortly after admission, her subsequent bloodwork showed an exceptionally low blood count,” the SAAMBR shares in an update.
Finley received a carefully managed blood transfusion as part of her treatment, and during her well-managed rehabilitation, she has now moved from critical to safely out of the woods.
“Thankfully, recent diagnostics showed an increase in her blood count, which indicates how well her body is coping. Since then, Finley has been closely monitored by SAAMBR’s dedicated turtle rehabilitation and veterinary teams, and slowly, day by day, she has become brighter, more responsive and started gaining weight.”
The turtle has now been moved to one of the larger rehabilitation pools and is being carefully examined and compared against other loggerheads by SAAMBR Veterinarian, Caryl Knox.
This shelled lady has been through a lot, but with the compassion and ongoing expert care she’s receiving, her story is far from over.
“Finley still has a long way to go, but each day she grows stronger, and we remain hopeful that in time, she will return safely to the ocean,” the SAAMBR concludes.
Sources: South African Association for Marine Biological Research
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