Expanded three-year commitment funds rescue, rehabilitation, and release of endangered turtles into the De Hoop Marine Protected Area
19 August 2025, Cape Town, South Africa – The Morukuru Goodwill Foundation, a dedicated supporter of marine and wildlife conservation in South Africa, has renewed and expanded its commitment to the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation’s Turtle Conservation Centre through a three-year funding initiative focused on sea turtle rehabilitation. This next chapter in the long-standing relationship will support the Turtle Conservation Centre in its mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and ultimately release endangered sea turtles into the wild.
The commitment includes the full adoption and care of three turtles currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Turtle Conservation Centre: Nori, Kai, and Habanero. These turtles – each with their own extraordinary story – will be released into the protected waters of De Hoop Nature Reserve, home to Morukuru Family De Hoop, once their recovery is complete.
“Our relationship with the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is built on shared purpose: conservation, education, and a passion and respect for the natural world,” says Anka Zeeman, co-founder of the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation. “We’re proud to continue this work together and help return these remarkable turtles to the ocean.”
Among the turtles currently under the Turtle Conservation Centre’s care is Habanero, a fully mature male loggerhead rescued near Witsand in February 2025. Found weak and covered in parasites, Habanero was diagnosed with septic arthritis and underwent complex surgery to support his rehabilitation journey. As an adult male, critical for long-term species resilience, his survival is a powerful contribution to global turtle conservation efforts.
Nori, a green turtle known for her grace and quiet strength, has been in rehabilitation since 2024 and was adopted by the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation in September last year. Her calm demeanour and steady progress suggest she is nearing readiness for release.
Kai, a charismatic five-year-old loggerhead turtle, rounds out the trio. Rescued as a hatchling weighing just 530g in November 2020, Kai faced early challenges due to a lung infection and unevenly sized lungs, which affected his buoyancy and muscle development. Thanks to years of dedicated care at the Turtle Conservation Centre, including pulmonary physiotherapy, custom shell weights, and an innovative buoyancy device, Kai has made remarkable progress. Now weighing over 57kg and thriving in the I&J Ocean Exhibit, he continues to receive enrichment and physiotherapy as he prepares for his eventual return to the wild.
With the Morukuru Goodwill Foundation’s support, the Turtle Conservation Centre will also expand its rehabilitation capacity and satellite-tag the turtles before release, enabling post-release tracking and contributing vital data to global conservation science.
“Morukuru has shown commitment to turtle conservation for several years now. Initially through the support of turtle rescue along its DeHoop coastline, Morukuru’s support has expanded to include rehabilitation and release. We are grateful for the long-term commitment that Morukuru is making towards turtle conservation,” says Talitha Noble-Trull, Turtle Conservation Centre Manager at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
This renewed commitment reflects Morukuru Goodwill Foundation’s dedication to conservation and community upliftment in South Africa. Founded in 2007 by Ed and Anka Zeeman, the Foundation is the philanthropic heart of Morukuru Family, whose eco-luxury properties in Madikwe Game Reserve and De Hoop Nature Reserve are designed to protect and celebrate Africa’s natural heritage.
“Our commitment revolves around restoring ecosystems and sharing knowledge. The end goal is to create and nurture a legacy of care for our oceans and for future generations,” Zeeman concluded.
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For more information, contact Marketing Manager, Rinse Wassenaar: rinse@morukuru.com
The Two Oceans Aquarium
The Two Oceans Aquarium is a public aquarium located on the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town and showcases the rich diversity of marine life found in the ocean off the southern African coast. It is a well-recognised and respected brand associated with awe-inspiring exhibits that aim to inspire action for the well-being of the ocean; excellent visitor service levels; caring, dedicated and passionate staff; family fun, and interactive and adventurous experiences to create memories for a lifetime.
The Aquarium is deeply invested in environmental education, conservation, and research and, in 2018, it established the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, a registered public benefit organisation, operating on a non-profit basis, to promote and expand on its educational, conservation and research initiatives.
The Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation
Established by the Two Oceans Aquarium, the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation is a registered non-profit and public benefit organisation dedicated to informing and inspiring all to connect with and protect our ocean, and the natural world, through conservation, awareness, research, and education.
The Aquarium Foundation offers quality, curriculum-aligned marine education programmes and adult ocean sustainability training. Its conservation work includes the rehabilitation of five of the seven turtle species, collaborating on marine animal welfare programmes, and undertaking collaborative research with major tertiary institutions, and conservation organisations.
The Foundation relies on donations to continue its work in conservation, education and research.
Visit https://www.aquarium.co.za/foundation to learn more about their work and to donate and support.
Morukuru Family
Reconnecting family, friends, nature, and you, is the promise of Morukuru Family, a renowned award-winning hospitality group and a member of Relais & Châteaux. Morukuru Family’s three exclusive-use houses in Madikwe Game Reserve as well as Morukuru Ocean House in De Hoop Nature Reserve, each offer the ‘Morukuru Freedom Concept’ for guests to create a unique and personalised holiday. Morukuru Beach Lodge in De Hoop Nature Reserve can be booked per suite, or on an exclusive-use basis. AtholPlace Hotel & Villa in Sandton, Johannesburg, consists of a 9-room boutique hotel and a 4-bedroom private villa. Morukuru Family is dedicated to securing a sustainable future for the reserves and protecting our planet and offer specialised travel packages – Safaris with a Purpose and Coastal Conservation with a Purpose.
www.morukuru.com
Morukuru Goodwill Foundation
Morukuru Family’s commitment to conservation, community, and sustainability led to the establishment of Morukuru Goodwill Foundation (MGWF) in 2007 by owners Ed and Anka Zeeman. Working in partnership with the Parks Board and CapeNature, and together with local communities we support nature-based projects, educate, mentor and ultimately empower the conservation of Africa’s wildlife sanctuaries.
https://morukuru.com/morukuru-goodwill-foundation/
Relais & Châteaux – A Movement with Meaning
Relais & Châteaux, established in 1954, is an association of 580 unique hotels and restaurants throughout the world, owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs–most often families–who are passionate about their craft and deeply committed to forging warm, lasting relationships with their guests. Relais & Châteaux members protect and promote the wealth and diversity of the world’s culinary and hospitality traditions, to ensure they continue to thrive. They are equally dedicated to preserving local heritage and the environment, as articulated in the association’s Vision presented to UNESCO in November 2014.
www.relaischateaux.com
