Two Oceans' Nori, Kai and Habanero Get a Second Chance at Sea

Kai undergoing rehabilitation in the I&J Ocean Exhibit. Photo Credit: Two Oceans Aquarium

The Morukuru Foundation has stepped up for sea turtles with a three-year promise to Two Oceans’ Turtle Conservation Centre.

Cape Town, South Africa (26 August 2025) – A new promise from the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation towards the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre is giving SA’s endangered sea turtles another shot.

The Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, which has supported conservation and community projects for years, is backing a three-year initiative that will fund the Turtle Conservation Centre’s rescue, rehabilitation, and release of endangered turtles.

The partnership essentially means more turtles can be nursed back to health and safely released into the wild waters of the De Hoop Marine Protected Area.

Morukuru’s support will help three very special turtles currently in rehab.

Habanero, an adult male loggerhead rescued near Witsand in early 2025. He arrived weak, covered in parasites, and battling septic arthritis, but after surgery and weeks of care, he’s on the mend.

Habanero in final rehab in the I&J Ocean Exhibit. Photo Credit: Two Oceans Aquarium

Nori, a green turtle with a calm spirit, has been in rehab since 2024. Her slow-and-steady recovery and gentle nature make her a favourite at the centre.

Kai, a five-year-old loggerhead, was rescued as a 530g hatchling in 2020. With a tricky lung infection and a lopsided shell, his journey has included custom shell weights, special physio, and plenty of TLC. He now weighs over 57kg and is thriving, almost ready for his wild return.

Morukuru’s help will not only support our three little friends but also allow for high-tech satellite tagging before each turtle’s release. That means conservationists can keep track of their journeys at sea and gather vital data that feeds into turtle protection efforts worldwide.

“We’re proud to help return these remarkable turtles to the ocean,” says Anka Zeeman, co-founder of Morukuru Goodwill Foundation. “Our relationship with the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is built on shared purpose: conservation, education, and a passion for the natural world.”
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For the Turtle Conservation Centre, this partnership is a vital source of help.

“Morukuru’s support started with rescue work along the De Hoop coastline and now includes rehab and release,” says Talitha Noble-Trull, Centre Manager. “We’re grateful for their long-term commitment to turtle conservation.”