Cape Town’s Two Oceans Aquarium releases turtle into ocean
· The South African
A juvenile loggerhead turtle in the care of the Turtle Conservation Centre at Cape Town’s Two Oceans Aquarium has returned to its home in the ocean.
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According to the aquarium, Kai was released into the waters of De Hoop Marine Protected Area on the southern Cape coast last Thursday, 14 May 2026, nearly six years after being rescued.
TURN TURTLE: KAI’S STORY
Kai’s story begins in November 2020: a mere hatchling weighing only 533 grams, he was rescued from the waters of Struisbaai and taken to the Turtle Conservation Centre.
It was found that Kai was struggling with uneven lung development and recurring infections. This gave rise to buoyancy issues, hindering his ability to swim or dive normally.
Over the next few years, Kai remained in, and thrived under, the care of the centre. His rehabilitation journey – which consisted of ongoing physiotherapy and being fitted with a custom buoyancy device – eventually led to his improved mobility and quality of life.
By the time 2026 rolled around, Kai could swim independently without the use of a buoyancy or weighted device. With approval from his vet, he was deemed fit to be released into the wild.
GOING HOME
Last Thursday, Kai – now weighing an impressive 100 kilograms – was removed from his temporary home in the I&J Ocean Exhibit at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
After being wrapped in a specially designed stretcher, he was placed on a mattress in the back of the bakkie. The bakkie transported him to De Hoop Marine Protected Area.
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There, Kai was transferred to a buggy that carried him over the sand dunes. Then, he was placed on the back of a quad bike that took him over a dune and down towards the beach where the release site was located.
Staff members from the Turtle Conservation Centre and the aquarium who played roles in Kai’s rehabilitation journey attended the momentous occasion – both to support him and to bid him farewell.
Soon enough, Kai was walked to the waterline and unstrapped from his stretcher. Team members watched carefully as he entered the seawater for the first time since 2020, taking to the warm waters with ease.
MAKING PROGRESS
Kai’s release comes nearly two months after Blue the ragged-tooth shark was released into the waters of Struisbaai.
Thanks to a satellite tag that he was fitted with, the Turtle Conservation Centre says Kai has made significant progress in the open ocean.
During his first week, the loggerhead turtle travelled 76 kilometres, averaging around 11 kilometres per day.
After exploring the eastern side of the De Hoop MPA, he moved slightly deeper offshore near Infanta. He then continued past Vermaaklikheid, and is now on course to Jongensfontein.
Talitha Noble-Trull, Conservation Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, is satisfied with Kai’s progress. She said, “This is very suitable for a turtle recalibrating to life in the wild after six years in rehabilitation.”
Suitable, indeed, and well worth celebrating. Kai’s story is one of perseverance, and we couldn’t be happier to see him now thriving in the ocean, thanks to the centre’s efforts!