Finding balance with Kai, the loggerhead turtle

Many of our turtle community are familiar with the story of Kai, the loggerhead turtle. As a well-known and loved turtle ambassador, Kai has been undergoing rehabilitation with the Turtle Conservation Centre for a few years. Most recently, Kai’s recovery has had some exciting developments.

Kai’s rehabilitation journey began during the turtle hatchling stranding season of November 2020, when he was rescued, weighing just 100g. From the start, it was clear to the turtle team that something was wrong with Kai’s buoyancy: He floated almost vertically in the water, with his right side sticking up!

Early challenges

Diagnostic tests revealed to our veterinary team that Kai had a severe case of pneumonia, which left him with a small, underdeveloped left lung. Although our turtle veterinarian, Dr Bernice van Huyssteen, successfully treated the infection, the difference in lung size proved an ongoing challenge. Without the ability to balance in the water or dive for food, Kai needed serious intervention if he was ever going to get a chance to develop normally.

The magic of weighted therapy and physiotherapy

However, Kai’s lung size discrepancy became more pronounced as he grew – the smaller lung just never seemed to catch up with the bigger one. By 2023, his increased body weight was putting pressure on his weaker lung and forcing him to compensate with the stronger side, resulting in spasms and stiffness in his neck and diagonal flipper. This is when Lorren, an experienced animal rehabilitation practitioner and physiotherapist, stepped in.

“In my first sessions with Kai, I tried some soft tissue techniques and myofascial release, which seemed to help level him out somewhat and alleviate his muscle tightness and trigger points. Combined with positional release and passive range of motion exercises, we helped him feel more comfortable,” says Lorren.

Lorren also encouraged the team to try a new approach: Why not try to attach a “floaty” to Kai’s weaker side, rather than weighing down the stronger one? The new device (a pool noodle fashioned to fit onto Kai’s carapace) would assist swimming motion by increasing equilibrium and stability without the extra drag. This novel approach was definitely a step in the right direction, and Kai’s buoyancy noticeably improved.

However, the noodle foam was taking up too much water and getting heavier over time, requiring frequent changes. The team decided that a different iteration of the “floaty” device was needed.

Uncharted waters

At the same time, the sign that the team had been waiting for arrived: For two CT scans in a row, Kai’s lungs were free of infection, and his buoyancy was improving. In October 2024, he was ready for reintroduction into the I&J Ocean Exhibit.

Then, in February 2025, help arrived from Werner, an animal prosthetics specialist at Animotion in Pretoria. Werner visited the Turtle Conservation Centre to take precise moulds of Kai’s shell, aiming to design a custom buoyancy device.

The objective was to develop a buoyancy device that mirrored the shape of Kai’s strong side. This would ensure consistent water flow, compensate for the lack of volume on the weak side, and incorporate a soft interface to prevent shell damage and ensure comfort.

While waiting for the device, Kai impressed everyone by swimming almost symmetrically on his own. But a sudden growth spurt once again threw off his balance, confirming the need for extra support.

“The hope is that the buoyancy device will only need to stay on for a few months, whereafter Kai’s weight gain would have stabilised, and he can hopefully go back to balancing without any aids in the water,” said Dr Bernice.

In July 2025, Kai received his new buoyancy device that fit perfectly in the indentation over his left side. The new device is made of a special, high-density foam material encased within a robust outer shell designed to withstand abrasion against rocks (Kai loves to scratch his back in the I&J Ocean Exhibit!). The results were immediate, and the turtle team was ecstatic to see how beautifully the buoyancy device was helping Kai balance.

“The project involved real-world testing and refinement. The prototype demonstrated such excellent performance, and further adjustments were deemed unnecessary at this stage,” said Werner.

Kai’s next steps

Currently, Kai is thriving in the I&J Ocean Exhibit, where visitors to the Two Oceans Aquarium can watch as he swims alongside fellow rehabilitation patients Habanero and Nori.

A milestone in his journey is his adoption by the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, long-time supporters of turtle conservation. With one of their lodges based in the De Hoop Marine Protected Area (a key site for turtle rescue and release), their support now extends into rehabilitation. Thanks to this partnership, all aspects of Kai’s care, from medical treatment to enrichment, are fully supported.

Kai’s feisty attitude and zest for life are an inspiration to the Turtle Conservation Centre team and the experts who are helping him along the way. Lorren reflects: “I feel truly blessed after working with Kai; this majestic animal teaches one patience and resilience despite the challenges he has overcome. There is a sense of camaraderie in his team of experts, which is evident in Kai's health and well-being”.

Kai’s rehabilitation journey is still ongoing. With regular physiotherapy and his new buoyancy device, the turtle team is hopeful that his balance will continue to improve and that this resilient turtle will keep inspiring everyone who meets him.