Conservation
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is committed to carrying out conservation, wild marine animal welfare and research work for the good of our ocean. Many of the Foundation’s projects expand on the existing work of the Two Oceans Aquarium. Through growing partnerships, we’ve been able to extend the impact and significance of our work from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront to the greater South African coastline.
The Foundation’s flagship projects are the Turtle Conservation Centre, a sea turtle rescue, rehabilitation, and release programme, and the Marine Wildlife Management Programme, run in partnership with the V&A Waterfront and pioneering the wellbeing and coexistence of wildlife and humans in an urban environment.
Conservation Programmes
Turtle Conservation Centre
Our Turtle Conservation Centre contributes to the recovery of sea turtle numbers worldwide by rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing turtles. With an expert team and the highest standard of treatment, we work around the clock to give endangered sea turtles a second chance at life in the ocean. Our team has successfully rehabilitated turtles of varying species and ages. We achieve an incredible 85% release rate, and our team continues to contribute to the growing global knowledge base of turtle rehabilitation and treatment plans.
Turtle Rescue Network
The Turtle Rescue Network was established to connect like-minded people and organisations along the Western Cape coastline with the purpose of rescuing stranded turtles as efficiently and safely as possible. The Turtle Rescue Network Points are the incredible organisations and community groups trained to facilitate efficient and safe turtle rescues. Many members of the Turtle Rescue Network provide temporary holding for stranded turtles, from where we arrange their transport to the safety of the Turtle Conservation Centre.
Marine Wildlife Management Programme
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation has a team of wildlife monitors and specialists that manages the marine wildlife of the V&A Waterfront precinct and regularly consults in marine wildlife operations across the greater Cape Town area. This programme utilises data-driven solutions to prevent negative interactions with humans (e.g. by providing resting spaces for seals to discourage intrusion on boats) and creates the opportunity for the team to assist injured, distressed, or entangled animals.
Urban Otter Project
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Marine Wildlife Management Programme, in partnership with the V&A Waterfront, initiated the Urban Otter Project in 2022 to mitigate potential interactions between otters and humans. This programme doubles as a research project, as our otter monitors collect data for the scientific study of Cape clawless otters, contributing to the global database daily.
#NOOW African penguin campaign
#NOOW, or #NotOnOurWatch, raises awareness about the need for urgent action to reverse the decline of the African penguin population in the wild. Backed by the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, The Florida Aquarium, Georgia Aquarium, and Zoos Victoria, the campaign aims to raise support for wise decisions to be made by the relevant authorities concerning the future of the African penguin. #NOOW is also about building pride in African penguins as a unique and charismatic part of South Africa's incredible biodiversity.
