This sea turtle hatchling was barely a pound when he was rescued. 6 years later, the 220-pound loggerhead is ready to swim free

Only one or two out of every 1,000 sea turtle hatchlings survive to adulthood. In 2020, a loggerhead sea turtle named Kai faced tough odds when he was found in South Africa. He weighed barely over a pound and couldn't swim.

The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Center team took Kai in. He struggled with balance and often floated almost vertically. Scans showed he had buoyancy problems from uneven lung development and infections.

Kai's Journey to Recovery

Dr. Bernice van Huyssteen, the turtle vet, treated Kai's infection. However, his lung sizes remained different. This meant Kai needed more than just standard care like good food and medical attention.

Over the years, the team worked to help Kai move better. They first put special weights on his right side to balance him. This allowed his weaker lung to get stronger. Kai also had regular physiotherapy to reduce lung strain and improve blood flow.

A physiotherapist then suggested a "floaty." They attached a modified pool noodle to his shell, which greatly improved his buoyancy. This was later replaced with a special high-density foam device.

By 2025, Kai reached a big milestone: he could swim without help. Later that year, after the team confirmed his recovery was stable, he was cleared for release.

Swimming Free

Talitha Noble-Trull, conservation manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, called Kai's story "one of resilience, innovation, and hope."

On May 14, after six years of specialized care, Kai was released into the De Hoop Marine Protected Area. He weighed a remarkable 220 pounds.

Noble-Trull was excited to see where Kai would go, as he hadn't been in the wild ocean since he was a hatchling. She said watching him swim back into the ocean was very emotional for everyone involved.

The Two Oceans Aquarium shared on Instagram that Kai was watched by the community who supported his journey as his flippers touched the ocean.

Before his release, the team put a satellite tag on Kai's shell. This allows them to track his movements from space.

This tracking will help them follow his ocean travels. It will also add to global knowledge about sea turtles, helping to protect his species.

Many people shared well-wishes for Kai online. Comments included "Safe travels, Kai," "Go Kai! May the ocean currents always be in your favor," and "Freedom! Thank you for the amazing work you do!"