By : Ann Kunz
Namaste, who is an adult green turtle, was brought in to the uShaka Sea World turtle rehabilitation facility by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife staff in November last year after being found stranded on the beach at Umkomaas.
On arrival she appeared exhausted and although she showed no visible sign of any injuries, her carapace was covered in Algae and she was unable to dive.
X-Rays showed that she had gas in her large intestines which was thought to be the reason she was positively buoyant.
Nama started eating soon after arrival but took a little longer to maintain neutral buoyancy. Over the last six months she has fully regained her strength and the decision was made to release her.
Once she received her release permit from iSimangaliso Wetland Park officials, she was flipper tagged and driven to Cape Vidal where she wasted no time in heading out into the ocean as soon as she felt the water lapping over her flippers.
“Nama is an incredibly special animal and has managed to make every member of the turtle rehabilitation team fall in love with her. We are elated that she made a full recovery and that we were able to release her today ” said uShaka Sea World Senior Quarantine Aquarist, Malini Pather
