Bob, the green sea turtle, has been a resident at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town for the past eight years.
According to the Cape Talk website, a wounded turtle was discovered stranded at De Hoop Nature Reserve on November 6, 2014.
It was transferred to the turtle rehabilitation team at the Two Oceans Aquarium, where it weighed just 16.6 kilograms and had various injuries, including severe bruises, fractures on the bottom shell, loss of scales, and exposed bone.
The staff at the aquarium on the V&A Waterfront began treating the turtle as they watched him swim around the tank.
Naturally, they gave him the name Bob.
Following a comprehensive examination that included x-rays, blood tests, and medications, it was determined that his cracked bottom shell was infected.
Bob also defecated countless single-use plastic bags and balloons, underlining once more the issue of pollution and its effect on the condition of our oceans.
Initially, it was believed that Bob would never be healthy enough to be returned to the wild.
However, Bob proved his naysayers wrong and this week began his new life by swimming into the ocean.
On January 27th, Bob was brought to KwaZulu-Natal and released from an isolated beach into the Indian Ocean.
Prior to his release, he spent some time at Ushaka Marine World acclimating to the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean while being monitored by veterinarians and fitted with an advanced tracking device.
Bob will be followed for as long as the gadget is attached to his back so that researchers can observe his behavior and learn more about turtle behavior.
It is you who is crying, not me.
Safe travels, Bob.
»Bob the sea turtle returns to the ocean after 8 years at Two Oceans Aquarium – PICS«