The non-profit arm of the Morukuru Family collection of lodges, Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, is contributing towards construction of an additional rehabilitation facility at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre (TCC) in Cape Town.
This additional space will allow the centre to care for 126 more sea turtles in response to the dramatic surge after extreme weather in April this year.
It is part of the foundation’s continuing support including the “adoption” of one of the centre’s rescues – a green sea turtle named Nori.
TCC has contributed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of over 1 000 turtles. However, an influx of over 589 loggerhead turtle hatchlings in April strained resources.
In addition to the hatchlings, the centre cares for several sub-adult turtles – each with unique rehabilitation needs.
The foundation will sponsor some of the costs associated with the expanded space, including UV bulbs, heat pumps, pipework and tanks.
Rescuing Nori
The TCC rescued Nori in May 2023 and she has made significant progress since then. Initially displaying signs of stress and problems with her right eye, Nori’s condition improved, allowing her to explore a larger living space with enrichment activities, and she is now in the I&J Ocean Exhibit at the aquarium. By adopting Nori, the foundation is covering her medical care, husbandry and eventual release. Additionally, the foundation will sponsor a satellite tag to track Nori’s journey after release, contributing to valuable research.
Why are sea turtles so important?
Sea turtles are vital to the ocean’s ecosystem, playing a role in nutrient cycling and beach health. When they nest on beaches, they deposit eggs that contribute essential nutrients to the sand. The shells and unhatched eggs enrich coastal vegetation, such as beach grasses, which helps stabilise dunes and prevent coastal erosion.
Different species of sea turtles also contribute to the health of coral reef ecosystems. For instance, hawksbill turtles feed on sponges that compete with corals for space. By controlling sponge populations, hawksbills help maintain coral biodiversity and overall reef health.
Green sea turtles like Nori are known for their grazing habits, which keep seagrass beds healthy. These seagrass beds are essential as they provide a habitat for various aquatic species and are involved in carbon storage.
The foundation also continues to celebrate the success story of Bheni, a previously sponsored green turtle, who has travelled 12 000km in the ocean since his release in December 2023.
