Sage, a rare olive ridley turtle, was rescued from a ghost fishing net in December 2025 and is now recovering well at the Two Oceans Aquarium’s Turtle Conservation Centre.
Sage, an olive ridley turtle, has warmed the hearts of many South Africans after she was rescued from a ghost-fishing net.The rare turtle was stranded in the De Hoop Marine Protected Area on 26 December last year after becoming trapped in a net.A fundraising campaign has raised more than R80 000 to help ensure Sage can be rehabilitated and return to the ocean.
Even though she belongs to the smallest turtle type, Sage, an olive ridley turtle, has shown the heart of a Springbok warrior and is set to return to the ocean.
Sage was stranded on Boxing Day last year after becoming trapped in a net, and thus began a public journey to get her back to where she belongs.
In an effort to help Sage, a member of the public disentangled her and returned her to the water, not realising that an exhausted turtle can drown if put back into the ocean after injury.
Thankfully, Sage was saved before she could succumb to her injuries and was attended to by rescuers.
After being rescued, Sage’s three-hour journey to the Turtle Conservation Centre began, where the Two Oceans Aquarium rehabilitation team began her treatment and rehabilitation.
Conservationist Karoline Hanks later took on the 194km PUFF3R challenge to support Sage through a BackaBuddy campaign.
The PUFfeR, or Peninsula Ultra Fun Run, is a roughly 64km trail run from Cape Point to Cape Town. Hanks completed it three times over two days, covering 194km with more than 7 000m of elevation between Cape Point Nature Reserve and Green Point. She completed the challenge on 21 and 22 August.
For Hanks, it was Sage’s personality and resilience that stood out for her.
Sage was treated for the severe wounds around her shoulders from the net, and a torn lung lining from hyperventilating while she was trapped.
“The few times I have met her, she is a survivor! She is feisty, has a sunny personality [and] knows what she wants!”
Two Oceans Aquarium communications officer Lara du Toit reiterated that Sage’s personality was vibrant, adding that she had arrived with severe wounds, particularly around her shoulders, as well as buoyancy issues and difficulty diving.
According to Du Toit, this was likely because, while Sage was trapped in the net, she had been hyperventilating, and the lining of her lung had torn, causing air to leak into her body cavity.
Du Toit added:
Despite everything she had been through, she was surprisingly perky, and that feisty attitude has really come to define her throughout her rehabilitation!
According to Du Toit, the aquarium’s veterinarian, Dr Bernice van Huyssteen, treated Sage with antibiotics and removed the trapped air from her body cavity. She added that rehabilitation involved treating both the visible net wounds and internal injuries that became apparent over time, and that the goal was to eventually release Sage back into the ocean, stronger and able to thrive in the wild.
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Even though her rehabilitation has been a long process, Sage is making progress and will soon be ready to return to her ocean home.
“Sage’s rehabilitation is nearing its final chapter [and she] is not currently on any medication, so she is under a period of monitoring to ensure that her health is stable,” said Du Toit.
“The Turtle Conservation Centre team is still providing a range of enrichment activities to keep Sage physically and mentally stimulated, and as wild as possible, which will assist with her eventual transition back into the ocean.”
Karoline Hanks holds the ghost fishing net that entangled Sage while completing her 194km PUFF3R challenge.
Hanks took on the gruelling PUFfeR challenge to also raise awareness and highlight the threat posed by ghost fishing gear.
“Sage’s story really resonated for me…. here was a vulnerable wild animal entangled and exhausted [and suffering] enormous pain and panic,” she said.
After pushing the cause on social media, Hanks was thrilled to see her R80 000 fundraising target exceeded, with support from friends, family and the public. The funds will cover Sage’s rehabilitation costs, including nutrition and medical care.
“I know that this is happening all over the world, and this offered me an opportunity to raise awareness around entanglement, other ocean threats, and to raise funds doing something I love to help with her rehab and eventual release,” she said.
Karoline bonding with Sage.
Supporters of the campaign shared their heartfelt messages on the BackaBuddy website.
Supporter Patsy Rose said: “My great niece and nephew sent me photos of your run. AWESOME effort!”
Another supporter named The Charter Lounge said: “Taking care of our oceans – Karoline you are our hero.”
The BackaBuddy campaign has raised R86 400, which is 108% of the R80 000 goal.
“I think I saw the total at R82k on the top of Table Mountain on the final lap… it was a great motivation, and at that stage, I knew I would complete the challenge, so extra special,” Hanks recounted.
According to Hanks, there is a broader lesson to be learnt: “There are so many things people can take away from this, and I feel it is essential we all address the challenges in the ocean and shift our consumer behaviour and seafood choices.”
Du Toit echoed this, saying Sage’s story showed just how dangerous ghost fishing gear could be.
“Even after fishing vessels have gone home, lost, discarded, or abandoned gear remains in the ocean, continuing to catch and kill turtles and other marine wildlife.”
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