From Bayworld to uShaka Marine World: Moai the Turtle’s Remarkable Journey of Rescue and Hope

Meet Moai – a critically endangered juvenile Hawksbill turtle with a remarkable story of rescue, resilience, and an unexpected journey through the skies - from Bayworld to uShaka Marine World. After stranding near Port Alfred, Eastern Cape, Moai was taken in by the Bayworld Sea Turtle Rehab Section, where he received months of dedicated care and healing. But when the day finally came to return him to the ocean, things took an unexpected turn. What followed was a heartwarming collaboration between Bayworld, The Bateleurs, and uShaka Marine World – a powerful reminder of what’s possible when passionate people come together to protect our planet’s most vulnerable creatures.

Bayworld to uShaka Marine World PILOT REPORT: Claude Parnell

Aircraft: Cessna 182 Skylane ZS-SCR hangered at FAPM

Legs flown :   FAPM (Pietermartizburg) to Shamwari to FAPE (Port Elizabeth) to FAPM

Objective of the Flight:  To relocate a white headed female vulture from African Raptor Center at Tala game reserve to Vulpro’s breeding program for endangered species based at Shamwari and then to collect a Hawksbill turtle from PE inbound back to KZN, ultimate destination Ushaka Marine World.

My Report:

Left FAPM early Friday morning 23 May 2025 with Vulture, Steve and Leticia. Landed at Shamwari 20 miles NE of FAPE. Shamwari’s runway although not tar, is smooth and in good condition. Joe Cloete CEO of Shamwari had a huge welcoming party for the Vulture. Game vehicles cleared the runway of game for us on landing and take-off. We were well looked after at Shamwari by Kerri who sent us back into the air with tasty lunch packs. Flight was routine. Offloaded the vulture and headed to FAPE to collect a Hawksbill turtle and fuel upliftment. Next stop was home base FAPM. Steve and Leticia then delivered the turtle to Ushaka Marine. Steve and I shared the flying, weather good, navigation made easy with Easy Cockpit, kind courtesy of Aviation Direct. All the care givers on the delivery and receiving side were so mindful of their precious cargo that they were sending or receiving. What an experience to be part of.

Claude Parnell

For the Bateleurs

CONSERVATIONIST FROM BAYWORLD REPORT:

Author: Ruth Wright, Bayworld

Moai, a critically endangered juvenile Hawksbill turtle stranded close to Port Alfred, Eastern Cape late last year. We at the Bayworld Sea Turtle Rehab Section worked very closely with our vet to help rehabilitate this little guy for release back into the ocean. He grew nicely over his time with us and his back flippers healed up well.  However on release day, things didn’t go as planned and Moai refused to leave the side of the boat. This has never happened before in more than 12 years of releases of over 400 turtles!

Usually in PE we release inshore off a boat in Algoa Bay in the warmer summer months, as Hawksbills are tropical turtles and don’t do well over long periods in colder water. Moai is a special rehab case as seen by his refusing to swim off on release day, and with our local air and sea water temperatures getting colder as we head into the PE winter, the decision was made to ask our turtle rehab friends at uShaka Marine World for help.

The amazing crew of The Bateleurs made this journey possible. Their team safely and with minimal stress, transported this precious little turtle to the warmer waters and skies of Durban so that he could continue his rehab journey with the hopes that soon he will be released back into the ocean.

It’s not often that a sea turtle gets to take to the skies and fly. We are SO very grateful to uShaka Marine World for continuing Moai’s rehab journey and to The Bateleurs for making this journey possible, for their awesome support and passion in helping us save endangered sea turtles and together we can make a difference for the future of these precious animals.