Durban — Nala, a green turtle that was entangled in fishing nets, fishing lines and ropes, was released after a brief stay at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research’s (Saambr) Sea Turtle Hospital at uShaka Sea World.
Saambr’s Ann Kunz said that Nala was back in the ocean after a life-saving ‘pit stop’.
“Queen Nala is back in the ocean after a short stay in the Saambr Sea Turtle Hospital at uShaka Sea World,” Kunz said.
She said that Nala, a large female green turtle, was rescued after washing up at Tinley Manor Beach, entangled in a fishing net. She suffered lacerations to her neck and right front flipper, which were cleaned and treated on admission.
“She is strong and feisty, and after some pain management, started using the swollen and injured flipper,” Kunz said.
She said that Nala’s radiography indicated no fractures and that blood circulation in the injured flipper was very good.
“We also observed a large clutch of developing egg follicles in her, which is very exciting,” Kunz said.
“There are major green turtle nesting sites around Seychelles, so it will be very interesting to see where she will be heading to, and that is precisely why we have satellite tagged her.”
Kunz sent a huge appreciation to everybody who helped with Nala’s rescue and recovery, especially KZN Marine Stranding Network, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, The Bateleurs and Life Saving SA and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, who are hosting the satellite tag transmissions.
She also thanked Carla Geyer Blue Sky Society Trust for the wonderful images of Nala’s return to the ocean.
Last month, Nala was found entangled in fishing nets, fishing lines and ropes and was taken to uShaka Sea World for immediate medical care.
NSRI spokesperson Craig Lambinon said that NSRI Ballito, KwaDukuza lifeguards and Ballito Specialised Rescue responded to Tinley Manor, near the tidal pool, following reports of a sea turtle trapped in fishing nets off-shore.
Lambinon said that KwaDukuza lifeguards, using Malibu rescue boards, paddled out to the turtle that was found to be trapped in fishing nets and fishing line, in distress and with fishing line ingested appearing to be blocking its airways.
“Lifeguards were able to cut the sea turtle free from the entrapment, and although still entangled in fishing line and netting, they brought the turtle to shore,” Lambinon said.
He said that the KZN Marine Animal Stranding Network were alerted.
The sea turtle was brought above the high water mark, where fishing nets and fishing lines were removed from the turtle. The turtle was loaded onto a medical spine board and carried to the parking area, and loaded into a Ballito Specialised Rescue vehicle before being transported to uShaka Marine World, where vets took over treatment.
The NSRI transported the very large turtle to uShaka Sea World, where she received immediate medical care from a full team of veterinarians, and turtle specialists from Saambr, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation as well as the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds, Kunz said.
“The team has named her Nala, which means queen in Swahili. She certainly looks like a beautiful green turtle queen who will hopefully be back in her blue ocean home very soon,” Kunz said.
Daily News