Three turtles, one mission: A story of hope and healing with the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation

There’s something quietly powerful about watching a sea turtle glide through the water – steady and purposeful. At Morukuru Family, we believe in protecting those moments. That’s why our philanthropic arm, the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, has deepened its long-standing support of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre in Cape Town. This is a continued commitment to something we care about: Conservation with heart and impact.

And right now, that impact has a name. Three names, in fact: Nori, Habanero, and Kai.

These three turtles, each with their own extraordinary journey, are currently undergoing rehabilitation under the expert care of the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre. When they’re ready, they’ll be released into the protected waters of De Hoop Nature Reserve (home to Morukuru Family De Hoop).

Meet Nori

Nori, a green turtle with a calm, curious presence, has been in the Turtle Conservation Centre’s care since 2024. She was the first turtle adopted by the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, and she’s become something of a quiet muse for the team. Known for her graceful movements and her refined palate (squid tentacles only, thank you), Nori approaches each enrichment session with intention and elegance.

Her weight is steadily increasing, her shell is strong, and she’s showing all the signs of being nearly ready for release. We look forward to seeing her glide through the reserve’s tides once more – free, healthy, and finally home.

Meet Habanero

On 8 February 2025, a large loggerhead turtle was found stranded on the slipway in Witsand. He was weak, anaemic, and covered in leeches. That turtle was Habanero. Thanks to a rapid-response rescue relay and the quick work of the Turtle Rescue Network, he arrived in Cape Town just in time for life-saving care at the Turtle Conservation Centre.

His condition was dire: Septic arthritis in his front flipper joint, a painful and potentially fatal infection. After weeks of stabilisation, Habanero underwent surgery to remove infected tissue. The procedure was a success, but his recovery is ongoing, closely monitored with scans, cultures, and supportive care.

Why Habanero Matters

What makes Habanero so special? He’s a fully mature male loggerhead – a true rarity. Male turtles spend their entire lives at sea and rarely return to shore, making rescued adult males like him vital for species resilience. In a world where climate change is skewing sea turtle populations toward females, Habanero’s survival is essential.

Meet Kai

Kai is a loggerhead turtle whose journey began in October 2020 when he washed up as a hatchling weighing just 530g. He faced challenges from the start, including a lung infection, unevenly sized lungs, and serious buoyancy issues that left him floating vertically in the water. But true to his name, Kai (meaning “sea” in Hawaiian) was destined to return to the waves.

Over the years, the Turtle Conservation Centre’s veterinary team has worked tirelessly to support his recovery. Each innovation, from pulmonary physiotherapy to custom shell weights and, eventually, a clever buoyancy device, helped Kai find his balance – literally and figuratively.

Today, he weighs a healthy 57kg and swims confidently in the I&J Ocean Exhibit at the Two Oceans Aquarium alongside Nori and Habanero. While he still receives regular physiotherapy, his improvement has been remarkable. The hope is that he, too, will one day make his way into the open ocean and write the next chapter of his story in the wild.

The Morukuru Goodwill Foundation’s support of the Turtle Conservation Centre for the next three years comprises the complete care and rehabilitation of these three turtles. Excitingly, it also includes the funding of expanded rehabilitation facilities and satellite tracking post-release, so we can follow their journeys long after they return to the blue. Because this isn’t just about saving turtles. It’s about restoring ecosystems and creating a legacy of care. When Nori, Habanero, and Kai are finally released into the De Hoop Marine Protected Area, it will be a conservation milestone and a return to freedom. And we’ll be proud to have played a part in it – powered by the passion of Morukuru Family’s guests, and the purpose that drives every adventure.

To learn more about the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation’s conservation work and our partnership with the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, learn more here or follow us on Facebook for updates on Nori, Habanero, and Kai as they prepare for their return to the wild. Remember, through our Coastal Conservation with a Purpose package (available to guests staying two nights or more at Morukuru Beach Lodge or Morukuru Ocean House), travellers have the opportunity to visit the Two Oceans Aquarium Turtle Conservation Centre in Cape Town for a behind-the-scenes look at how these turtle heroes put their superpowers to good use.

Flashback to Bheni's incredible journey - read more here!