The remarkable rescue of new turtles, Ginger and Bayleaf

18 October, 2025 - Turtles, Conservation, Foundation, Blog

We often say it takes a community to rescue a turtle, and it really does.

From the moment a turtle is found on the shoreline to the moment it arrives safely at the Turtle Conservation Centre, countless hands and willing hearts step in to make sure it has a fighting chance. On 5 September 2025, we were once again reminded just how big and beautiful our turtle community is when not one, but two, turtles were rescued and transported to us on the very same day.

The first call came in just before 13h00. A small hawksbill turtle had been found near the Stilbaai harbour by a local scuba diving school. Under the guidance of our Turtle Rescue Network Coordinator, Tracy Whitehead, the turtle was quickly secured and moved into the care of NSRI and CapeNature staff. With the help of our rescue network, the hawksbill was transported to Cape Town and the safety of the Turtle Conservation Centre. By the end of the day, around 10 people had played a part in her journey! Our turtle community later helped us name her Ginger.

A few hours later, just before 17h00, another call came in. This time, it was our incredible turtle supporters and partners at Morukuru Family in De Hoop Nature Reserve. Corné, a Marine Guide at Morukuru Family, had been patrolling along the dunes when he spotted a very weak green turtle. With nothing but his shirt to shield her from the elements, he carried her two kilometres back along the sand, then immediately radioed his wife and colleague. Together, they contacted Tracy, and the Turtle Rescue Network sprang into action!

Corné and his wife drove the turtle to Napier, where they were met by one of our ambassadors, Mike. He drove the turtle through to Caledon, where a member of our Turtle Rescue Network was waiting to drive the patient through the last stretch. By the time this little green turtle arrived at the Turtle Conservation Centre in Cape Town, about 11 people had been involved in her rescue! This turtle was later named Bayleaf by her rescuer, Corné.

At 21h00 that evening, both Ginger and Bayleaf were settled at the Turtle Conservation Centre; tired, battered, but safe. It had been an extraordinary day, one that showed us again how deeply people care and how far out of their way they will go to help turtles who need it.

After our turtle team guided Ginger and Bayleaf through the initial stabilisation period, our vet, Dr Bernice and vet nurse, Mel Boots, were ready to examine what was wrong with our newest patients. Mel is a wildlife and aquatics specialist veterinary nurse from Australia, who is currently filling the role of Veterinary Nurse at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation. Mel has specialised in sea turtle medicine and rehabilitation with a keen interest in surgery, anaesthesia, and marine conservation.

Ginger, the hawksbill turtle, was thinner and dehydrated, with a deep wound on one side of her neck. Blood tests showed she was fighting an infection, but otherwise stable. Like Bayleaf, she was placed on fluids, vitamins, antibiotics, and pain relief. Encouragingly, Ginger began eating within just a few days, a sign that her body was ready to fight for her future!

Bayleaf, the green turtle, was in good body condition but had abrasions on her bottom shell, a fracture on her top shell, and collapsed lungs that leaked air into her body cavity. She was also dehydrated and had low blood sugar, but with intentional treatment (fluids, vitamins, antibiotics, and pain relief), she has begun the long road to recovery.

Looking back on this intense rescue day, it is incredible to see not just two turtles who were rescued, but more than 20 people who came together for them. Each person, whether they were walking the dunes, answering the phone, checking blood results, or simply driving a car, played a vital role in getting Ginger and Bayleaf to safety.

This is the community of care we so often speak of. It is made of divers and rangers, vets and volunteers, and people who say yes without hesitation when a turtle needs them. What a special community to be a part of!

“The resilience of turtles always astounds me. We will have patients admitted with horrendous injuries that would be considered a death sentence on any other species. Yet sea turtles, and many other marine species, have this amazing healing ability. Out in the wild and in rehabilitation, they manage to survive trauma like limb amputations, eye injuries, and shell fractures. I have always believed it is a privilege to work in wildlife conservation and wildlife rehabilitation, to be hands-on involved in contributing to long-term species conservation. I feel that, as humans, we have a responsibility to protect the natural world and its inhabitants, especially when trauma or injury occurs to an animal as a direct or indirect result of human interaction,” says Mel.

Much like the rescue itself, this story was put together by a community. Thank you, Corné Lamprecht, Tracy Whitehead, and Mel Boots, for your contributions.