Hermit crab ‘Shell-vis Presley’ flown home to Kidd’s Beach after accidental trip to Gauteng

A tiny hermit crab nicknamed “Shell-vis Presley” has been returned to Kidd’s Beach in the Eastern Cape after being accidentally packed into a family’s beach bag during a holiday and taken to Gauteng.

How the stowaway was discovered

The Randburg SPCA said the family, who live in Gauteng, had been on holiday in the Eastern Cape earlier this month. “While collecting shells on Kidd’s Beach near East London, they unknowingly brought home a tiny stowaway, a hermit crab, tucked safely inside one of the shells they had collected,” the SPCA said. They added that “as soon as they realised what had happened, they did exactly the right thing. They contacted us for help.”

Temporary care and permissions

The SPCA said the hermit crab was kept at a temporary site to ensure he was properly cared for while plans were made to get him back home. After obtaining permission from relevant government and conservation authorities and after receiving a few refusals along the way the Randburg SPCA confirmed arrangements were made for the animal’s return.

Airlink steps in

The SPCA said that Airlink agreed to get the sea creature back to his natural habitat. “After making sure he was safely packed in, Shell-vis was headed home,” the organisation said. Randburg SPCA and Airlink confirmed that he arrived safely at Kidd’s Beach.

Community response

The SPCA thanked those who followed the hermit crab’s journey and assisted in getting him back to the beach.