Turtle Patient 249: Anaa, Adult Female Olive Ridley
Anaa was discovered entangled in a ghost net by a fly fisherman in Baa Atoll.
The Vitals
Admission Date: 3 March 2025
Patient Number: 249
Rescue Location: Baa Atoll
Reason: Found Entangled
Transport Method: Speedboat
Status: Current patient
Species: Olive ridley
Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Sex: Female
Age: Adult
Length: 60.5 cm
Weight: 27 kg
The Adoptive Parents
Anaa has been kindly adopted by Franziska & Mario Baum, by Chris & Esther, by Thorsten, by Femke, Kilian, Viktor, Erato, Thijs & West, by Julien, by Maria & Mike, by Christine, by Sibylle Glueck-Foissner and by Karin & Reinhard.
Anaa’s Story
Anaa, an adult female olive ridley turtle, was discovered entangled in a ghost net by a fly fisherman, @gtflyfishing, during his usual fishing activities. At first, he thought he had spotted a ghost net floating on the surface and decided to remove it for proper disposal. However, upon closer inspection, he realised that a sea turtle was trapped inside. Determined to help, he carefully freed her and attempted to release her back into the ocean.
Anaa, however, remained motionless – too exhausted to dive and swim away. Sensing something was wrong, the fisherman swiftly contacted ORP’s veterinary team for guidance. After assessing the situation, the team determined that Anaa needed urgent medical care. Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu kindly arranged for a speedboat to transport her immediately to the Rescue Centre.
A thorough health assessment revealed that Anaa had suffered ligature injuries on all her flippers, broken bones in the digits of her hind flippers, and external injuries to her carapace.
6 April 2025
Anaa has made excellent progress during her first month in our care. We kept her under close observation during the first few days and were pleased to see that she quickly regained her strength and even began submerging in the small tank. She continued to improve and soon managed to rest at the bottom of the medium tank. She now spends most of her time resting underwater, which is a positive sign. We are administering medical therapy along with regular wound treatments, that include topical and laser therapies. Her ligature wounds are healing well and we are so pleased with her progress, though we will continue to monitor her closely.
Adopt Anaa
When you symbolically adopt one of our turtle patients you will receive:
- A personalised digital adoption certificate with the history of your adopted turtle patient
- A fact sheet about the species of sea turtle you have adopted
- Updates on how your adopted turtle’s recovery is going (if you wish)
- Your name featured on our website (if you wish)
- Notification in the case of a release
We ask for a minimum single donation of £50 to adopt a turtle patient. £50 will contribute to the cost of medical therapy for one patient for two weeks. You can also choose to make a monthly donation of your choice.
Please allow 7 days for the issuing of the certificate. Also note that we do not contact gift recipients directly.
By adopting one of our turtle patients you will contribute towards the cost of our patients’ veterinary care, medications, and transport. You will also help fund our core charitable objectives to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue & conservation medicine, clinical & scientific research, and education & outreach.
