Habanero, our amputee loggerhead turtle, enters the final phase of rehabilitation

At the Turtle Conservation Centre, our goal for every turtle undergoing rehabilitation is to eventually release them back into the ocean – strong, healthy, and able to contribute to the future of their species. For Habanero, an adult male loggerhead turtle who has spent nearly two years in rehabilitation, this exciting milestone is finally within reach.

Habanero’s front left flipper was successfully amputated by our Turtle Veterinarian, Dr Bernice van Huyssteen, in December 2025. At the time, Habanero was battling a severe bone infection and was not responding to treatment. After much deliberation with turtle veterinarians around the world, amputation was ultimately decided on as the best option to save his life. 

The surgery went well, but small areas of infection remained in Habanero’s other limbs, having spread from the heavily infected flipper. Dr Bernice prescribed a course of antibiotics to eradicate this residual infection, with blood tests and regular CT scans to monitor his progress. Because sea turtles heal slowly, it would be many months before the medical team could confidently declare him free from infection.

“Indeed, for the past nine months, our veterinary team has been anxiously monitoring Habanero for signs of ongoing infection and hoping that his body would respond favourably to the antibiotics,” says Dr Bernice. 

While Habanero adjusted to life with three flippers and continued his antibiotic treatment, he was housed in a large holding pool in the Turtle Conservation Centre’s main rehabilitation space. This allowed the veterinary team to closely monitor his healing, assess his wounds, and observe his health and behaviour.

Finally, with his treatments having run their course and his amputation site fully healed, Habanero was moved back into the I&J Ocean Exhibit in September 2026, which had been his temporary home before the surgery. Here, he has the opportunity to interact with other animals in a vibrant, stimulating environment while rebuilding the strength and agility needed to compensate for his missing flipper. 

“Since his return to the I&J Ocean Exhibit, Habanero’s been quite mischievous, proving that he is feeling a lot better than the last time he was in the space!” says Dr Bernice. 

Even better news followed in mid-September, when Habanero underwent his final CT scan at Winelands Radiology. “To everyone’s immense joy, the results meant we could officially declare him free of infection after nearly two years of rehabilitation,” says Dr Bernice. 

This means that the final step of rehabilitation is here for Habanero: Preparing him for release! 

Preparing Habanero for the ocean

At this advanced stage of his rehabilitation, the turtle team’s focus has shifted from helping Habanero adjust to life with three flippers to ensuring he’ll thrive in the wild ocean. 

Fitness is a major part of this preparation, and one way the turtle team helps Habanero get fitter is by target feeding him several times a week. This method of feeding doubles as an enrichment activity and is a central part of our rehabilitation process. 

Each of our larger turtles has a uniquely patterned paddle that the team uses during feeding times. By placing the paddle (or "target") in the water and presenting food in front of it, the team teaches the turtles to associate food with their individual targets rather than with humans. Ideally, this reduces the likelihood of turtles approaching humans for food once they are released back into the ocean.

For turtles in the I&J Ocean Exhibit, target feeding also provides an excellent opportunity for physical enrichment. Rather than simply presenting Habanero with his food, a team member on scuba or freediving holds out his target and swims away, encouraging him to swim more speedily! The team also feeds Habanero at different depths throughout the space, challenging him to swim, manoeuvre, and build the strength and agility he'll need in the wild.

Despite having only three flippers, Habanero is just as speedy and very food-motivated - he certainly keeps the team on their toes during feeding time. He doesn't appear to be very fussy with his food, but his favourite is definitely the sustainably sourced Cape redfish from our friends at ABALOBI!

A second chance for Habanero

Throughout Habanero's long rehabilitation journey, his adopters, Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, have played a special role in supporting his recovery. From the uncertainty in the early days after his rescue to the exciting prospect of his release, their generosity and commitment have helped our team provide Habanero with the specialised care he needs. This support is all part of giving this remarkable turtle a second chance at life in the ocean!

Habanero's journey has not been straightforward, but this gentle giant has continued to surprise us at every turn. From battling a life-threatening infection to learning to navigate the water with one less flipper, he has overcome incredible challenges to reach this exciting stage of rehabilitation. Soon, he will reunite with his ocean home!