Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
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Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

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15 Jul 2020

Baby turtle from Hermanus ‘lucky to be alive’ after digesting plastic pieces

(Cape Argus: IOL) Picture: The Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation has again called on people to cut out single-use plastic items as a turtle hatchling has been pooping out small pieces of plastic while undergoing rehabilitation. Picture: Facbook

Cape Town – The Two Oceans Aquarium Education Foundation has called on people to cut out single-use plastic items after a turtle hatchling has been pooping out small pieces of plastic while undergoing rehabilitation. The aquarium said that the hatchling arrived at its turtle rehabilitation centre on 1 July, after a member of the public found the turtle in Hermanus.

They said that while it is too early to tell the gender, they have been referring to the hatchling as “she”. The foundation said that the gender of a turtle can only be determined once they are much older, with an ultrasound scan.

“Hatchling #32 arrived weighing a healthy 163 g, however, there was clearly some issue with her, since she was found stranded. This issue became apparent when our turtle rehab team found a bunch of small plastic pieces in her rehab pool. Pictured below are all of the pieces that #32 pooped out, weighing a total of 0,3g.

https://www.facebook.com/aquariumfoundation/photos/pcb.159576369005013/159575362338447/?type=3&__tn__=HH-R&eid=ARA2rlJaUGRn7SxwsaGcAqTplvl6B3Ls5BdWEX2hWlrDwQyegR8kIjIXC04MsvneR-DdabrtUz4j3wu-&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARCz5i5z4FKEiWhxnWB7VoEDGwJYA1yoCEVEYue6WxllchVjC5C_16NqVazgH7pMfflpq1HL8j2pdCBraex08vaMh1yrbOKlBQHLbdOLKZqleWtzNWVOX5iaEelwbxRad-6HnHgb585uay_KvDhSIMSN69U9r6PH9CbYFcWPAKLNmq1Z2Z-gPrchh9g7R9FfMJ137xA-sx2h7xTt84wBptXO5H_c7tcvcaVdwhCW2JxMxXCHgHPQIqPtHFelsscaC3jX_DFEhOqe-rIlnQ4-O8voOX3Rs-vEoBmWs5KUVL4xbOfTaNOjWg5nbaOtLafav0EV16LZufzU_C1cGlnDpqI

“Since this picture was taken, she has pooped out even more. She is a lucky little turtle, as many are not able to pass plastic pieces like these, especially when they have sharp edges that can cause internal damage,” the foundation said.

“Even though #32 has gained weight since first arriving, and is now up by 9 g, she is a stark reminder of the wide reach that plastic has in the ocean.”

The foundation said that people should consider cutting out one single-use plastic item as more can be done and that the “conservation of sea turtles starts with every one of us”.

* If you would like to support the turtle conservation work, you can visit: https://www.givengain.com/cc/yoshichallenge.

Online Article