You’ve spotted a stranded turtle and want to help. But what should you do? While your first instinct might be to put the lad or las back into the ocean, pump the breaks. Here’s how to give the turtle the best fighting chance, as told by the Turtle Rescue Network:
Western Cape, South Africa (09 February 2025) — If you enjoyed our recent update on the adventures of turtle trekkers Nobomvu, Bheni and Bokkie, you might find yourself paying closer attention to any shelled friends you encounter on your own travels, wondering where they came from and whether they too are a living, breathing example of a rescue-gone-right. But what about stranded turtles? And what are you supposed to do if you find one?
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Rescue Network has shared an imperative run-down on what to do in this situation. After all, the choices you make can be the difference between a turtle navigating a rewarding road to recovery or a much less fortunate ending to their tale.
What to do When Encountering a Stranded Adult Turtle
Never Put the Turtle Back into the Ocean
It might be your first instinct, but it’s not what you should ever do.
“A stranded turtle should never, under any circumstances, be returned to the ocean,” says Tracy Whitehead, Turtle Rescue Network Coordinator. “The trauma of stranding leaves turtles extremely vulnerable to drowning if they are unable to surface for breath.”
Call the Turtle Rescue Hotline
If you are in the Western Cape, you can easily contact the Turtle Rescue Hotline on 083 300 1663.
Help the Turtle Away From the Elements
Carefully move the turtle (making sure to support its underside) to a shaded area that is away from sunshine and wind. Don’t panic if you forget in the moment; the Turtle Rescue Network will guide you to ensure the turtle’s wellbeing and safety.
Await Transport
The team will dispatch transport that will get the turtle to the Turtle Conservation Centre. From there, it’ll be expertly assessed.
When Good Intentions Go Wrong
In a recent case where good intentions sadly went wrong, a female loggerhead turtle of nesting age was entangled in the ropes of a marker buoy with cuts into her front leg flipper. With the weight of the buoy exacerbating her injuring and a thick layer of algae and marine leeches encrusting her shell and wounds, the turtle needed help.
However, before the Turtle Rescue Network could be notified, well-meaning beachgoers freed her and released the loggerhead back into the water.
When the situation was eventually communicated to the Turtle Rescue Network, the Betty’s Bay chapter stood on standby in case of a re-stranding. The same beachgoers found the turtle once again, but this time were armed with support on what to do thanks to a video call from Tracy who told them to assume the turtle was alive.
Thanks to commendable efforts from the rescuers, Cape Nature officials and Kogelberg Biosphere Wildlife Rescue Centre staff, the turtle was carried over two hours along the beach to the waiting rescue vehicle before being transported to the conservation centre, where she arrived just before midnight. Sadly, the loggerhead did not make it; her autopsy revealed that she had, in fact, drowned.
“We believe that the turtle’s injury from the entanglement, which was infested with leeches, caused her to become anaemic. Once the buoy was removed, she was too weak to hold her head up for breath and ultimately drowned,” explained Senior Turtle Aquarist Alexandra Panagiotou.
This loggerhead turtle’s passing is especially devastating in light of her considerable size, which indicates she was of breeding age—between 20 and 30 years old. In the wild, just one or two out of every 1,000 turtles survive to reach this stage. This means each adult turtle that is successfully rehabilitated and released by the Turtle Conservation Centre represents a critical opportunity for the continuation of these endangered species.
“Although this is a tremendous loss, we can use it as an opportunity to learn, grow, and continue to create awareness for adult turtle stranding and the importance of rescuing them,” says Tracy.
Sources: Supplied
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