Odin and Duke are the Ninja Turtles Who Could! These endangered turtle champs enjoyed their release after months of recovery and care, showing resilience as tough as their shells.
Durban, South Africa (21 April, 2023) — Turtle champs Odin and Duke were celebrated yesterday on the KwaZulu-Natal North Coast after months of recovery.
It was a big moment for the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) and especially Odin’s carers who initially thought Odin had no chance of surviving. However, this turtle proved that he’s just as tough as his shell.
The sub-adult Green turtle was found in October last year by a kind-hearted fisherman near the Bluff. At the time, Odin’s condition led many to believe he was on death’s shores, with the little trooper dehydrated, lethargic and “completely emaciated” as SAAMBR shares.
Still, they bet on his slim chances and set out to get him back on his flippers.
“After a good clean and some supportive care, including 8 weeks of tube feeding and medication, he started to feed by himself which was a good indication that he was on the mend. After 6 months of rehabilitation and recovery, gaining a full 10kg, he was cleared for release by our clinical veterinarian.”—SAAMBR.
Malini Pather, uShaka Sea World’s Lead Aquarist shared that Odin’s is one of the “most remarkable turtle rehabilitation stories”.
“His journey from the brink of death, to passing his pre-release health checks was tough but absolutely incredible. Odin was the hospital sweetheart and managed to charm everyone with his dogmatic resilience. I am overjoyed and really can’t believe that his release day has arrived.”—Malina Pather.
As for Duke, this sub-adult Green turtle also beat against the current of circumstances no turtle wants to be in.
“Duke was found floating upside down in a pool of water on Garvies beach in December 2021. On arrival at the Sea Turtle Hospital, Duke was also quite emaciated, lethargic and positively buoyant. Initial diagnostics indicated that he was suffering from an internal infection of the gut. He received the right treatment and started eating within 3 days which is always a good sign. Duke gained a solid 6kg while under our care and was deemed fit for release following his health examination. What a little champ.”—SAAMBR.
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Thanks to the turtle champs, rescuers, transporter and supporters, two endangered sea turtles are finally home.
Odin’s also been fitted with an acoustic tag so that rescuers can see where he explores next along the coastline.
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