Just keep swimming! Fourteen years is a long time. Long enough for a tiny turtle hatchling to grow into a full-sized adult, heal, and find freedom in the ocean again.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (17 December 2025) – For the first time as a ‘grown-up’ Loggerhead Turtle, Davey Jones has returned to the great big blue where she belongs.
Now weighing a whopping 108 kilograms, she was only a baby when she was rescued in 2011 after washing up on Muizenberg Beach. Back then, she weighed next to nothing and needed urgent help.
“Many Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings, just like her, wash up along the Western Cape coastline every year, barely weighing 25 grams. After stabilisation and initial care in Cape Town, Davey Jones or DJ as she was affectionately named, was transferred to uShaka Sea World to continue her long-term rehabilitation journey.” shares the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR).
Like many little hatchlings that strand along our coastline, survival wasn’t certain. What no one knew then was that this little turtle would go on to become one of the longest rehabilitation stories in uShaka Sea World’s history!
“Over the years, DJ faced numerous health challenges. She battled recurring fungal infections, early arthritis (which is curable luckily), and a stubborn dermal infection, with several relapses that extended her stay under our care. Despite these setbacks, she continued to grow, and she responded well to treatment. She earned a special place in the hearts of the Turtle Rehabilitation and Veterinary Teams who worked tirelessly with an abundance of love and dedication to support her recovery.”
She became like a part of the family.
“DJ has always been an incredibly smart and aware animal. Her intelligence made managing her many health complications so much easier, and it also meant she kept us on our toes. She loved her snacks and never missed a chance to sneak food from the other turtles – a mischievous streak we’ll all remember fondly.” reflects Sanele Ndaba, one of her primary caregivers over the years.
While great care was taken to rehabilitate DJ at uShaka Sea World over the years, it was never her final destination.
Now at a good weight and in excellent health, DJ has finally reached the point everyone had been working towards. After vet check-ups and behavioural assessments, she was cleared for release recently.
After being fitted with tags that will allow for her movements to be tracked, DJ’s caregivers and volunteers all banded together to release the healthy girl out to sea.
“DJ wasted no time on the beach, and it was absolutely heartwarming watching this strong sea turtle rush into the ocean and swimming off behind the breakers. We are so excited to follow her during this next chapter of her life. Go well DJ. Your journey continues.” shares SAAMBR.
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