An eventful week bookended by two remarkable animals. The week opened with a visit to Zenith, the elephant seal bull at Pinnacle Point, and closed with a critically ill large loggerhead turtle requiring an urgent and strenuous beach rescue today. Both cases are a reminder of why this work matters.
Sighting — Elephant Seal ‘Zenith’, Pinnacle Point
📍 Location: Pinnacle Point 📅 Date: Tuesday 17 March 👤 Responders: Johan, Carly, Val
- Johan, Carly and Val made the trek down to Pinnacle Point — a steep walk and careful clamber over loose rocks — to assess the elephant seal first reported last week.
- The bull was found snoozing quietly between the boulders. He has been named Zenith — a fitting tribute to his location at Pinnacle Point.
- Length measured at an impressive 5 metres. Photographs were taken for identification purposes.
📈 ID Note: Zenith may be Bossie, tagged at Diaz last year by Dr Greg Hofmeyr. ID confirmation pending further analysis of the photographs.
Follow-up — Vaccination Attempt, Pinnacle Point
📍 Location: Pinnacle Point 📅 Date: Friday 20 March 👤 Responders: Dr Anthony Creighton, Sr Stefanie de Graaff, Riana
- Dr Anthony Creighton, Sr Stefanie de Graaff and volunteer Riana made the full trek down to the cove on Friday to attempt to vaccinate Zenith.
- Alas — Zenith had left the cove. The team made the journey for nothing, but took it in good spirits.
🐙 Status: Zenith’s current whereabouts unknown. The team will attempt vaccination if he is sighted again. Maybe next time…!
Incident — Critically Ill Loggerhead Turtle, Hartenbos River Mouth
📍 Location: Hartenbos River Mouth 📅 Date: Sunday 22 March (today) 👤 Responders: SMART volunteers
- A very large loggerhead turtle was found stranded at the mouth of the Hartenbos River today. Estimated weight: approximately 70 kg. Condition: very weak and critically ill.
- The turtle was carefully moved off the beach on a blanket — a physically demanding operation requiring strong arms, legs, and stamina from the volunteers involved.
- The animal is currently receiving excellent care at Hartenbos Animal Hospital (HAH).
- If the turtle pulls through and regains sufficient strength, it will be transferred to TCC (Turtle Conservation Centre) for long-term rehabilitation.
🐢 Status: Critical — currently in care at HAH. Transfer to TCC planned if condition improves. Keep praying!
📊 2026 Season Turtle Tally: 3 loggerhead turtles rescued to date (2 hatchlings + 1 large adult). Season is active — team on standby.
Till next week — be happy and be kind. 🐾