Sage, an olive ridley turtle recovering at the Turtle Conservation Centre after being rescued from a 30kg ghost fishing net, is the inspiration behind Karoline Hanks' 192km fundraising challenge.
Image: Supplied
Karoline Hanks, who manages Project Noordhoeked, is preparing to cover 192 kilometres in a gruelling fundraising challenge to help pay for the rehabilitation of a rare olive ridley turtle rescued off the Western Cape coast.
Hanks will take on the equivalent of three PUFfeR (Peninsula Ultra Fun Run) trail races over two days, completing the 64km route between the Cape Point reserve gate and Green Point Rugby Club for a total distance of 192km.
She hopes to raise R80 000 for Sage, an olive ridley turtle currently being cared for at the Turtle Conservation Centre after she was found trapped in a 30kg ghost fishing net at De Hoop Nature Reserve last December.
Donations are being collected through Hank's BackaBuddy campaign, PUFF3R, ahead of the challenge on Friday, August 21 and Saturday, August 22.
The campaign also aims to raise awareness of the impact abandoned fishing gear, known as ghost fishing gear, has on marine life.
Olive ridley turtles are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
They face growing threats from entanglement in fishing gear, plastic pollution, habitat loss and poaching, and are rare visitors to South African waters.
Hanks said the fundraising target was based on what Sage needs during rehabilitation rather than the distance she plans to cover.
"I've managed to raise the amount of R80 000 a few times before through fundraising challenges, so it has become a figure that feels achievable," she said.
According to Hanks, the funds will cover much of Sage's rehabilitation from admission through to release, including nutrition, veterinary care, life-support systems and enrichment activities that prepare the turtle for life back in the wild.
The fundraising goal also includes the cost of an acoustic tracking tag, allowing conservationists to monitor Sage's movements after her release and contribute valuable information to research on rehabilitated sea turtles.
"Even if I only raise enough for the acoustic tag, I'll feel I've added value to her rehabilitation and release journey," Hanks said.
"The turtle's movement patterns will provide insights into the species' behaviour, feeding grounds and habitat use. Tags also monitor turtles after rehabilitation, helping researchers assess how they survive and integrate back into wild populations. Most importantly, the data collected informs conservation strategies aimed at protecting these vulnerable animals."
Having completed several endurance fundraising events, Hanks admitted there are always moments when she questions whether she can finish.
"There are always dark moments during these runs, but having a fundraising element helps keep me focused," she said.
Karoline Hanks climbs Chapman’s Peak as part of her 8,849 m elevation challenge to support Project Noordhoeked in 2025.
Image: Supplied
Beyond the fundraising challenge, Hanks hopes the campaign will encourage people to make small lifestyle changes that benefit turtles and other marine life.
"Not everyone can donate, but everyone can make better choices," she said.
She encourages people to reduce their use of single-use plastics and, where possible, choose seafood from sustainable fisheries.