With the aim to provide world class care to sea turtles, the long-term vision for the Turtle Conservation Centre at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town, is to build a stand-alone, state-of-the-art facility – showcasing world class turtle rehabilitation.
This ground-breaking facility in the V&A Waterfront will not only provide increased space for turtle rehabilitation but will also enable the public to witness first-hand the rehabilitation efforts, to learn more about turtles and the dangers they face, and to meet some of the Ambassadors of Hope. This multimillion Rand project will be a marine wildlife hospital unlike any other on the African continent.
Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre
The aim of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre is to rescue, rehabilitate and release the turtle back into the open ocean. In the wild, only one or two out of every 1 000 sea turtle hatchlings survive to adulthood – these figures are now even worse due to the increased pollution, climate and other hazards caused by human activity. The Turtle Conservation Centre works to ensure that endangered sea turtles are protected. We are working around the clock to increase these statistics and contribute to the recovery of sea turtle numbers worldwide.
The Turtle Rescue Network
While the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation hosts world-class rehabilitation facilities, they cannot patrol every stretch of the coastline at all times. In reality, stranded turtles are found by people, just like you, on family beach outings, fishing trips, or morning runs. The Turtle Rescue Network provides information about collection points and additional volunteers, to get a rescued turtle of any size to the safety of the Turtle Conservation Centre.
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation works very closely with the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), Shark Spotters, SANPARKS, the South African Shark Conservancy, Dyer Island Conservation Trust Lower Breede River Conservancy, Cape Nature, Whale Coast Conservation, Bayworld, and many incredible organisations and community groups to facilitate turtle rescues. Many members of the Turtle Rescue Network provide drop-off/ collection points for stranded turtles, from where we arrange their transport to the Turtle Conservation Centre
Turtle Rescue Hotline: 083 300 1663
To report stranded or distressed sea turtles on the Western Cape coast – for information you need and coordinate efforts to get the turtle into the hands of trained veterinary staff at our Turtle Conservation Centre.
