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
Coastal access
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

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
Back
17 Oct 2018

Port Shepstone turtle escapes poaching

Thobeka Ngema (DAILY NEWS) Picture: The SPCA,the Ezemvelo KwaZulu Natal Wildlife Honorary Officers and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research ( SAAMBR) were instrumnetal in saving a turtle from the clutches of poachers

“Durban – A turtle in Port Shepstone escaped falling victim to a poaching incident after it was rescued from its buyer.“

The SPCA,the Ezemvelo KwaZulu Natal Wildlife Honorary Officers and the South African Association for Marine Biological Research ( SAAMBR) were instrumnetal in saving a turtle from the clutches of poachers  

 According to a Facebook post by the KZN Marine Stranding Network, early in September, the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Honorary Officers received information of a live turtle on a farm in Marburg just outside Port Shepstone. After some investigation it was found to be likely that the turtle had been taken home as a pet but was later sold, presumably for food.

“The individual who purchased the turtle ran away from a security officer when requested to show the contents of the sack he was carrying. The Spca Lower South took possession of the turtle while the KZN Marine Stranding Network team was contacted for assistance to collect and transport to Durban for a health assessment. It remains unclear how long the animal had been out of the water,” the post said.

The post also said the turtle was taken to the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr) and even though it went through a lot, it was in a  relatively good condition.

“It appeared to have been in the care of someone as it lacked marine growth on its shell which is usually found on turtles at sea and the shell appeared to have been scrubbed or polished. A number of hooks were removed from its neck and beak. This animal was not a stranding per se but rather a poaching incident,” the post continued.

It also said that with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife no longer the fisheries custodians of the KZN coast, it was unclear how to manage this animal, but the KZN Stranding Network were happy to assist in its rescue and thank the Spca Lower South, the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Honorary Officers and Saambr for ensuring a happy ending for this turtle.

 

Online Article