Turtle hatchling season has begun along the Plett coastline.

According to Knysna Plett Herald, the first hatchling was spotted on Solar Beach last week. Residents are urged to keep an eye out for these tiny turtles during beach walks — they’re often no bigger than a car key.

Never return them to the water

Plett Shark Spotters stressed that they should never be returned to the water, as hatchlings do not naturally occur along the temperate Cape coastline.

“Every year, between March and May, large numbers of endangered loggerhead, and occasionally leatherback, turtles can wash up on beaches, but they’re not supposed to be there,” the organisation said.

“The turtles hatch in the much warmer KZN and usually swim into the warm Agulhas current and ‘ride’ the current southwards.

“However, a strong south-easterly wind and rough sea conditions can throw them off course and they end up in our colder Cape waters where they end up beaching along our coastline: stunned by the cold, dehydrated and sometimes injured.”

Stranding hotline

If you find a hatchling, alive or deceased, please contact the Plett Marine Stranding Hotline on 079 463 4837 immediately.

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