WATCH | Rescued loggerhead turtle Finley returns to the ocean
SAAMBR announced that Finely was successfully released after responding remarkably well to months of specialist veterinary care.
After more than seven months of intensive rehabilitation, Finley, the loggerhead turtle, has finally returned to the ocean, marking the end of an extraordinary recovery journey that began when she was rescued off the KwaZulu-Natal coast in a critical condition.
The South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) announced that the adult female loggerhead turtle was successfully released after responding remarkably well to months of specialist veterinary care at the Sea Turtle Hospital at uShaka Sea World.
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Finley was rescued in the Richards Bay area on December 21 last year after she was spotted floating in the water for an extended period.
She arrived at the rehabilitation facility weak, severely underweight and missing part of her right front flipper.
According to SAAMBR, her condition was among the worst the veterinary team had encountered.
“She was missing part of her right front flipper and her blood count was exceptionally low, lower than any previously recorded in a live turtle by the SAAMBR veterinary team,” the organisation said.
Despite the odds stacked against her, Finley began eating soon after arriving at the hospital, quickly developing a particular appetite for squid.
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Her recovery received a significant boost in January when another loggerhead turtle, Orion, became an unexpected lifesaver by donating blood during a carefully managed transfusion.
From there, Finley’s condition steadily improved.
“Day by day, Finley became stronger, brighter and more active. She moved into a larger rehabilitation pool, continued eating well, and gained weight beautifully, from 41.1 kg on arrival to 60.1 kg by the time she was ready for release,” SAAMBR said.
A final veterinary assessment confirmed she was healthy enough to return to the wild.
And she was clearly ready. Once back near the water, she wasted no time finding her flippers and swimming off into her true home.
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SAAMBR said caring for Finley had been a privilege for the rehabilitation team.
“Her story is one of expert veterinary care, dedicated rehabilitation, public kindness and one very determined turtle.”
The organisation also thanked On Safari Africa for supporting Finley’s rehabilitation and release.
She returned to the ocean fitted with identification flipper tags and a satellite transmitter, allowing researchers to monitor her movements and gather valuable information about loggerhead turtles.
According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), loggerhead turtles are named for their large heads and powerful jaws, which enable them to crush hard-shelled prey such as clams and sea urchins.
The species plays an important role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems but faces growing threats from accidental capture in fishing gear, habitat loss and coastal development.
