Eloise Farmer is the Marketing Manager of the De Hoop Collection, under which falls one of CapeNature’s flagship reserves, De Hoop Nature Reserve. While this reserve is famous for its land-based southern right whale watching, it also became the starting point of a life-saving journey about three years ago, when Bob the Turtle was rescued along the coast in November 2014 and then made its way to the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town.

I had been to the Two Oceans Aquarium two years ago, but was feeling like a child before Christmas at the thought of seeing all the amazing exhibits the Aquarium had to offer again. Quite a lot has changed since my last visit and something exciting was to be seen around every corner.

Bob the Turtle enjoys an active life in his new home at the Two Oceans Aquarium. He's come a long way since being rescued and rehabilitated in 2014.

Jenni [Leibbrandt, Two Oceans Aquarium Sales Executive] showed us around and spoke with so much knowledge and energy that Nicola [de Kock, Reservations Agent at De Hoop Collection] and I found ourselves hanging on her every word. From the oh-so-cute Nemos, to the suckers that nibbled on my fingers, the penguins with their yellow crests and the very impressive Ocean Basket Kelp Forest Exhibit, there was never a dull moment.

The tour led us behind the scenes to water tanks, monitoring systems and the kitchen where special food is prepared for the different creatures. We felt the dedication that goes into running the Aquarium and could see the passion of each staff member we came across.

Throughout his rehabilitation at the Two Oceans Aquarium, Bob the Turtle has been looked after by caring and attentive staff.

Slowly but surely, we were making our way to see Bob the Turtle. Bob was found on a beach in the De Hoop Nature Reserve in 2014. The De Hoop Nature Reserve is 36 000ha in size and is a three-hour drive from Cape Town in the Overberg Region of the Western Cape. The reserve has a 70km coastline that was proclaimed a Marine Protected Area in 1985. This undisturbed coastline is a haven for marine life and it is here that Bob washed out with severe bruising and a fracture of the bottom shell, loss of scales and exposed bone. Now, three years later and after copious amounts of love and care, Bob is thriving in the safe environment the Two Oceans Aquarium has given him.

All Bob wants is some love and attention - Eloise can't resist giving him a shell rub.

As employees of De Hoop Collection, a private company that manages the accommodation and activities in De Hoop Nature Reserve, we followed Bob’s heartbreaking story and were looking forward to meeting this green turtle who had beaten the odds and bravely survived such a terrible ordeal. And what a meeting it was! We were in awe of this friendly creature that easily welcomed our back scratches and head strokes. After getting a good dose of shell scratching, he would leave us for a lap around his huge new home, almost as if to give us time to discuss him. And then, he would be right back for another dose of love.

Bob's famous veggie pizza.

Lunch time was such a treat! Bob eagerly awaited pieces of his vegetable pizza (named Bob’s pizza) and knew exactly which feeding board to follow. It was interesting to learn that juvenile green sea turtles are omnivores – eating both meat and plants; and the adults are herbivores – eating only plants. Bob was especially loving the cucumber and took healthy bites.

Nicola and I found ourselves overloaded with new knowledge and new respect for our oceans and the environment in general. Looking at the pictures of the plastic and balloons that Bob had swallowed unknowingly, we could not help but feel sad and wanting to do our bit to clear our beaches of litter. The harsh reality is that Bob is one of the lucky ones. We feel truly overjoyed at Bob’s success story and grateful for the chance to meet him. At the same time, the thought of the many affected and helpless marine animals that will not be as lucky as Bob, saddens us.

On our way out, Jenni showed us an exhibit of plastic bags floating in water, which shows how easy it is for our animals like Bob to mistake the plastic for jellies. The question above the exhibit says it all: “If you cannot tell the difference, how can we?”

The Two Oceans Aquarium is a place that will amaze you, that will show you the beauty of our oceans and it is a place that will educate you.

Eloise (left) and Nicola (right) of the De Hoop Collection had the chance to visit Bob the Turtle. Jenni (centre) of the Two Oceans Aquarium was their enthusiastic guide.

How you can help

It’s that time of year again, when the Two Oceans Aquarium starts to receive calls from concerned members of the public who come across stranded juvenile (and occasionally sub-adult) turtles on the beaches of the Western Cape. The turtles you may come across are most likely hatchlings and the size of your hand. They wash up on our beaches, suffering from hypothermia.

Click here to find out what to do when you find a stranded turtle on Cape Town beaches.

Our turtle rehabilitation centre requires around the clock attention, specialised medical care and many extra man- and woman-hours. To help us do this life-giving work, please consider making a donation online by clicking here.