2025 recap: Celebrating the Two Oceans Aquarium's 30th birthday year
In 2025, we celebrated the Two Oceans Aquarium's 30th birthday! Not only is this a huge milestone for us as leaders in conservation and education, but it is also a special occasion for our Aquarium family - the visitors, staff, donors, and friends who have walked through the doors into our underwater world over the past three decades. This year was full of unforgettable memories, exciting new developments, fabulous events, and a lot of love for our ocean. We are excited to see what the next year brings, but first, let's look back on 2025...
We waddled for the endangered African penguin
On International African Penguin Awareness Day, our Two Oceans Aquarium family gathered in support of the African penguin and the #NotOnOurWatch campaign. We were joined by Guardians of the Deep and SANCCOB as we waddled from Long Beach to Seaforth Beach in Simon’s Town! Along with our community of waddlers, we aimed to give a voice to this charismatic seabird and inspire collective action for its preservation and protection.
Gen, the ragged-tooth shark, was released in Struisbaai
On 18 March 2025, the Two Oceans Aquarium successfully released a 209kg ragged-tooth shark named Gen in Struisbaai! This was a special moment for the team that cared for Gen during her time at the Aquarium, as well as another exciting step towards the future conservation of ragged-tooth sharks. During Gen’s time at the Aquarium, she was a true ambassador for her species and educated thousands of visitors, highlighting the importance of sharks in the marine environment.
For the first time in 10 years, two new African penguin chicks hatched
In February, our African penguin colony welcomed two new chicks to the beach for the first time in 10 years. This has been an incredibly special experience for the Penguin Keepers and staff at the Aquarium, as well as a significant milestone for the new penguin parents. The chicks, Ember and Echo, were named to represent our future hope for African penguins. We are eagerly awaiting what the next few years bring for these precious penguins.
We received the Mayor's Medal for Conservation
On 14 November 2025, the Two Oceans Aquarium was awarded the Mayor’s Medal for Conservation in the City of Cape Town’s Civic Honours Ceremony. This prestigious award acknowledges outstanding contributions by individuals or organisations in a number of different fields. The Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin-Hill Lewis, acknowledged the Aquarium’s 30-year contribution to marine research, conservation, rehabilitation and environmental advocacy.
Pink meanie jellyfish were displayed for the first time in six years
Pink meanies are an incredibly rare species of jelly that the Two Oceans Aquarium has only housed four times in its 30-year history! In April, we had five on display in the popular Jelly Gallery. The last time pink meanies called the Aquarium home was in 2023, but this is the first time that we have been able to house more than one in an exhibit! Pink meanies are notoriously difficult to house in aquaria because they eat other jellies. In fact, we are the only aquarium in the world to successfully display them!
Our Foundation hosted Seal Health Week
In July 2025, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, in partnership with the City of Cape Town (COCT) and the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), hosted Seal Health Week for marine conservationists, veterinarians, researchers, and government partners to confront pressing challenges facing seal populations along the Southern African coastline. The week blended public engagement, academic discourse, practical skills training, and cross-cutting dialogue, with participation from over a dozen key organisations.
Nobomvu, the loggerhead turtle, nearly reached the two-year tracking mark
In November 2025, Nobomvu, the beloved loggerhead turtle often referred to as our “Red Lady”, sent in her final satellite tracking update. After 659 days covering an incredible 25 500km, Nobomvu’s satellite tag has stopped transmitting. This marks the end of the Turtle Conservation Centre’s four-year journey with her. Over her tracking period, she travelled close to 40km every single day!
The Aquarium breaks ground on an exciting new development
In May, the Aquarium began construction on the next step in our evolution – a major upgrade focused on improving the visitor experience. This project includes relaxing ecosystem-themed spaces to enjoy a cup of coffee, a massive new children’s centre filled with fascinating facts for our youngest guests, enhancements to the living spaces for the animals in our care (including a new Penguin Exhibit) and more comfortable, collaborative workspaces for the growing Aquarium and Foundation teams.
Looking back on 2024's record-breaking turtle stranding season
Last year, our Turtle Conservation Centre was inundated with stranded turtle hatchlings that had washed ashore after unseasonal and intense storms hit the Western Cape coastline. Before they knew it, our turtle team had over 600 turtle hatchlings to care for – almost five times more than a typical stranding season. Our turtle team shared the inspiring journey of these vulnerable hatchlings, from the moment they were stranded to their triumphant return to the ocean. This is what turtle conservation is all about, and it’s worth celebrating!
We celebrated the 5th annual Marine Protected Areas Day
On 1 August 2025, we celebrated our ocean’s most critical conservation spaces. Marine Protected Areas are sanctuaries where marine life can thrive, breed, and flourish undisturbed. To spotlight the importance of these underwater reserves, ocean-focused organisations around the world hosted inspiring and educational events, from beach cleanups and rock pooling to snorkelling and expert seminars.
Green turtles were downlisted to Least Concern
In October 2025, the green turtle’s global conservation status on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List was changed from Endangered to Least Concern. This is a significant success for one of the ocean’s most iconic species, and it is a result of decades of tireless conservation work around the world. While the change in status is cause for celebration, it’s also a reminder not to relax our efforts. Our Turtle Conservation Centre remains dedicated to protecting green turtles for generations to come!
Our Research team announced a groundbreaking elasmobranch tagging project
In July, our Foundation’s research team announced an exciting new partnership to address key knowledge gaps in marine research, particularly in the field of elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, Shark Spotters, the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and its marine infrastructure platform, the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform (ATAP), and South African National Parks (SANPARKS) – Scientific Services are collaborating in this nationwide strategic partnership.
Looking back on 30 years of the Kelp Forest Exhibit
For three decades, the Kelp Forest Exhibit has stood as a living, breathing symbol of the Two Oceans Aquarium’s dedication to ocean conservation, marine education, and awe-inspiring natural beauty. This iconic exhibit is more than just a glimpse into South Africa’s underwater forests; it’s the result of thoughtful collection, sustainable practices, and expert care. Watch as our team shares how we harvest kelp in the wild ocean forests, carefully transport and delicately place it in the exhibit. Every step of the journey reflects our deep respect for marine life and the dedicated team working behind the scenes!
By Die Soutwater won silver at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa
In June, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation proudly clinched a Silver Award at the 2025 International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) for its original documentary By Die Soutwater. The film was honoured in the Wildlife and Conservation (Marine Life) category, standing out among 488 global submissions from 60 countries.
Creatures & Creators brought together design and marine sciences
In July, Cape Town Creative Academy, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED), and our Ocean Campus collaborated to bring together 20 of the Western Cape’s top Grade 10 learners for a cross-disciplinary winter workshop that centred around design, science, and storytelling. The teams (pairs of Design and Marine Sciences learners) were tasked with creating an A5 information card for young Aquarium visitors that combined scientific accuracy with imagination.
The journey of ragged-tooth sharks at the Aquarium
For almost three decades, the Two Oceans Aquarium has been releasing sharks back into the wild as part of our commitment to ocean conservation and marine education. These releases are not just about returning animals to their natural habitat; they’re about protecting biodiversity, studying shark behaviour, and inspiring the next generation of ocean guardians. We celebrated 30 years of ethical marine care, scientific research, and hands-on conservation by telling the story of our sharks, where every release is a step toward a healthier ocean.
Our 8th annual Turtle Road Trip explored the West Coast
Every year, our Turtle Conservation Centre embarks on a road trip to spread awareness for the turtle stranding season and connect with our Turtle Rescue Network. This year, for the first time, the team chose to explore the West Coast and emphasised adult turtle stranding. The Turtle Road Trip team aimed to share knowledge of turtles and how to rescue them, express the value of coastal communities in rescue efforts, and establish key network points.
Wild Waterfront premiered at the Labia Theatre
In August, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation premiered our latest documentary film, Wild Waterfront, at Cape Town's Labia Theatre. Wild Waterfront follows the Marine Wildlife Management team and the work they do to protect Cape fur seals and other marine animals that navigate life in a bustling urban harbour. The documentary was supported by Film Cape Town and sheds light on the challenges and rewards of protecting these animals and seeks to promote a deeper understanding of urban ecosystems and the importance of human-wildlife co-existence by intertwining stories of wildlife and the human team.
We celebrated the False Bay Hope Spot with Mission Blue and CapeRADD
In February, the Two Oceans Aquarium hosted Mission Blue and representatives from the seven South African Hope Spots. Dr Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue and a legendary marine biologist, joined the Hope Spot champions in celebrating the growing South African Hope Spot network. The two-day celebration included a collaborative workshop and a community event in the False Bay Hope Spot.
A new ragged-tooth shark, Tracey-Lee, joined the family
After Gen, the ragged-tooth shark was released, our Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Exhibit had space for one more resident! In October, our Collections team road-tripped to Struisbaai, where they caught a 50kg raggie. The shark was later called Tracey-Lee, after one of our team members' wives. Tracey-Lee settled quickly into the exhibit, where she will be housed for a few years as an ambassador for her Critically Endangered species before being released back into the ocean.
Our Turtle Conservation Centre released four rehabilitated turtles
In November, our Turtle Conservation Centre team released turtles Nori, Stella, Pebbles, and Cinnamon into the stunning waters of the De Hoop Marine Protected Area. Each of the turtles has had a fascinating and unique rehabilitation journey, so this release was incredibly special. De Hoop's abundant coastal ecosystems and warmer waters are well-suited to the lifestyles of subadult turtles, particularly those of green and hawksbill turtles like Nori, Stella, Pebbles, and Cinnamon. With this release, we are affecting positive change for these ecologically important turtle species, giving them a second chance at life!
Our Foundation partnered with Primedia and made magic
In April, our Foundation announced an exciting new partnership with Primedia Cares and CapeTalk, one rooted in a shared commitment to ocean conservation through education, inspiration, and meaningful action. This dynamic initiative aims to deepen public understanding of ocean health and empower communities to play an active role in protecting our marine ecosystems - because every South African, no matter where they live, has a stake in the survival of our oceans. From live broadcasts about the African penguin within the Aquarium itself to OceanFM, an exciting educational once-off, this partnership has been amazing.
The Aquarium lends our support to a campaign to end lethal shark nets
Shark nets are underwater barriers designed to remove sharks from public beaches. Unsurprisingly, there is a price for bather protection, and sharks have been paying it for decades. Shark nets and drumlines have long been used in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – their presence has been normalised for years as a preventative safety measure for ocean users, but many are unaware of their broader impact on marine ecosystems, ocean health, and the sharks themselves. In 2023, the Earth Legacy Foundation launched a petition urging the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board to remove lethal shark nets and drumlines. The Two Oceans Aquarium came on board as a supporter.
We celebrated our 30th birthday in style
On 13 November, the Aquarium celebrated our 30th birthday! All three of our iconic mascots were out and about, handing out free entry tickets to random people on the Waterfront and delighting Aquarium guests with photos and funky dance moves. They even danced with the marimba team! We also had a surprise guest who played “happy birthday” on the bagpipes, a special banner dive, awesome lapel pins for staff, and much more. In the evening, we hosted an intimate evening gathering for the long-standing partners, staff past and present, trustees, supporters, and friends who have shaped the Aquarium into the cherished institution it is today.
Watch our 30-year history through our eyes
Our team shared heartfelt stories from their personal journeys through the Two Oceans Aquarium’s 30-year history. Discover how our work has grown, adapted, and made a splash over three unforgettable decades. This documentary is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, and relive the moments that make our Aquarium truly special.
Well, that's a wrap on 2025! The Two Oceans Aquarium is so grateful for our wonderful Aquarium family—thank you to everyone who explored our underwater world this year, adopted a turtle, enjoyed a Penguin Experience, reported sightings of injured animals in the harbour, watched our daily feeding times, or joined one of our beach cleanups. We are so excited to see what 2026 has to offer - sea you next year!
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