DJ the Loggerhead’s Final Satellite Transmissions Are Happy Ones!
Good Things Guy | 11.02.2026 20:00
The South African Association for Marine Biological Research shared DJ’s final satellite tracking update. She has been living her best wild turtle life!
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (11 February 2026) – Last year, we shared how Davey Jones – DJ to the team who raised her – finally returned to the ocean after 14 years in rehabilitation at uShaka Sea World.
Rescued as a tiny hatchling in 2011 after washing up on Muizenberg Beach, weighing barely 25 grams, she grew into a 108-kilogram adult under the watchful care of the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR).
Her release in December last year was emotional. She had battled recurring fungal infections, arthritis and a stubborn dermal infection over the years. But she made it. And when she finally hit the water, she dove straight in.
This week, SAAMBR shared her final tracked update, and it’s a happy one!
After her release, DJ explored the iSimangaliso coastline, moved up through northern KwaZulu-Natal and into southern Mozambique, reaching as far as Inhaca Island and Maputo Bay before slowly wandering south again.
Using her most accurate satellite locations, DJ is estimated to have travelled close to 1000 kilometres since her release, averaging around 24 kilometres a day. That’s remarkable for a turtle who spent 14 years in rehabilitation.
“That’s an incredible effort for a sea turtle who spent 14 years in rehabilitation, and a beautiful sign that she’s strong and loving life in the wild,” shares SAAMBR.
DJ isn’t quite old enough to nest yet. This phase of her life is about exploring coastal waters and being a wild turtle. She’s clearly doing a good job!
Why the Silence Isn’t Alarming
Satellite tags don’t last forever.
They can detach naturally, stop transmitting when batteries run out, or simply fail after months of exposure to saltwater and ocean conditions. Sometimes turtles dive deeper or move into areas where signals struggle to transmit.
Losing signal doesn’t automatically mean something has gone wrong.
In DJ’s case, the data collected before the tag went silent tells us that she had strong movement, natural travel patterns, healthy distances and confident navigation.
“Her tag most likely failed naturally, but the story it told was everything we hoped for,” shares SAAMBR, adding: “Go well, DJ. May the currents be kind, the waters warm, and your journey full of wonder.”
