More than a decade ago, a small but determined collaboration began between Coco Collection and the then newly established Olive Ridley Project (ORP), built around a simple shared goal: to help injured and distressed sea turtles in the Maldives.
What started as a modest initiative has since grown into one of the country’s most impactful long-term sea turtle conservation partnerships – spanning rescue, conservation medicine, research, and education.
Establishing the Maldives’ first veterinary-led sea turtle rescue centre
As a field biologist in the Maldives, Dr Martin Stelfox couldn’t help but notice a recurring and troubling pattern – olive ridley turtles found entangled in abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing nets, also known as ghost nets. He began documenting cases with fellow biologists and citizen scientists, and this field-driven work soon laid the foundation for the Olive Ridley Project (ORP). This documentation also made it clear that a dedicated facility was needed – one where injured sea turtles could receive medical care and recover.
That vision took shape in 2017, when ORP and Coco Collection opened the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre (MTRC) at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu (CPDK) in Baa Atoll. The first veterinary-led facility of its kind in the country, the centre introduced specialised clinical care for injured, entangled, and diseased sea turtles.
“Before the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre became a reality, the journey began with a shared commitment to advance sea turtle conservation beyond what had been done before. From the very first idea, we were fortunate to have the unwavering support of Coco Collection, along with the dedication of individuals such as Marine Biologist Chiara Fumagalli and engineer Didi. Those early days were marked by both ambition and uncertainty, but we were united by the belief that sea turtles deserve specialised, veterinarian-led care and that, together, we could help redefine sea turtle rescue in our region.”
– Dr Stelfox, Founder & CEO of ORP.
Just within a few years, the MTRC developed into an advanced facility for sea turtle health, built through the commitment of many. An initial grant from Pacsafe Turtle Fund, along with OceanCare’s long-standing support in establishing and stabilising the programme, helped us strengthen clinical capacity.
“The Coco Collection – ORP partnership has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my career and an emotional feat on a personal level too […] At that time we were all delving into an unknown zone and I’m truly amazed by how far this endeavor has come, particularly in improving knowledge on sea turtle medicine and in supporting a new generation of Maldivian conservationists.”
– Chiara Fumagalli, a former marine biologist at CPDK, who was instrumental in the creation of MTRC.
Since opening, our veterinary team at MTRC has treated 269 sea turtles and successfully released 152 individuals back into the wild, achieving a significant and succesfull release rate of nearly 60 per cent.
Evolving approach to sea turtle clinical practice
Our clinical work with sea turtles has evolved significantly over the years. In the early days, each rescue case was managed by one veterinary surgeon and an intern, focused on treating patients quickly and returning them to the ocean. This approach has since expanded into a comprehensive conservation medicine programme guided by a One Health approach.
Alongside this shift, the centre’s technical and operational capacity too has steadily expanded. Our original two-person team worked with limited equipment in a single-room clinic, yet every case helped build knowledge, refine treatment protocols, and strengthen clinical expertise.
A major upgrade came in 2023, when, thanks to the support of CPDK, our clinic was renovated and doubled in size. The upgraded facility introduced dedicated spaces for routine procedures such as surgery, blood evaluation, diagnostics etc. A viewing window was also added to allow volunteers to observe treatments, strengthening the centre’s training and education value.
Today, our clinical practice is supported by professional-grade equipment, made possible through the generosity of our funders, supporters, and sea turtle patient adopters. The on-site veterinary team now includes two veterinary surgeons, an intern, and volunteers working under the supervision of ORP’s Director of Conservation Medicine, Dr Max Polyak.
Over the years, ten veterinary surgeons and two veterinary nurses have worked at MTRC, contributing to the advancement of sea turtle clinical practice in the region.
Ten years, ten veterinary surgeons plus two veterinary nurses:
We would like to thank: Dr Claire Petros, Dr Claire Lomas, Dr Pera Sinkovec, Dr Jackie Reed, Dr Minnie Liddell, Dr June Ang, Dr Mariana Fragoso, Dr Hasnaulhusna (Naul), Dr Michelle Chepng’eno Rop and Dr Celena Wu, along with veterinary nurses Lauren Valentine and Tristan Neto, for their incredible work in sea turtle conservation medicine.
Strengthening capacity in conservation medicine
Over time, MTRC has also grown into a training ground for conservation medicine. Through ORP’s Veterinary Training Programme, 29 veterinary professionals from 12 countries – including the first Maldivian veterinarian practicing in the country, Dr Misfah – have received hands-on training. This programme, apart from helping build a global network of sea turtle medicine practitioners, has also helped develop long-term leadership within ORP itself. Dr Naul, our Head Veterinary Surgeon for the Maldives, first joined ORP as part of the Veterinary Training Programme in 2024.
Advancing sea turtle population research
Alongside rescue and clinical work, research has remained central to our partnership with Coco Collection. We lead long-term sea turtle monitoring across the Maldives, tracking nesting activity, population trends, and key threats. This work is supported by ORP’s Photo-ID initiative, which contributed to the Maldives’ first National Red List Assessment of Threatened Species, published in 2022.
Supported by a nationwide network of citizen scientists, we have now recorded more than 45,000 sea turtle encounters, with Coco Collection contributing nearly 3,500 records and standing out as one of our most committed research partners.
ORP Track, our satellite tagging research project was launched at the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in April, 2011. Over time, we have tagged and released 7 olive ridley turtles, collecting and studying data on their movements across the Indian Ocean.
Ocean education, awareness and inspiring the next generation of conservation heroes
This scientific endeavour is closely complemented by our shared commitment towards conservation education and awareness.
At Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, guests are invited to engage directly through weekly marine talks, interactive sessions with ORP’s veterinary team, and the chance to witness sea turtle patient releases. These moments open a window into the sea turtle rescue and care, helping visitors form a more personal connection to conservation efforts.
The MTRC has also played an important role in community engagement by regularly welcoming government representatives, including policymakers, local leaders, and law enforcement officials – offering them first-hand insight into sea turtle protection efforts.
Just as often, MTRC also comes alive with curiosity and excitement, thanks to Coco Collection facilitating school visits from Baa Atoll and beyond, helping us introduce students to marine conservation at an early age.
Our collaborative commitment to community stewardship goes a step further in the form of our internship programme for young Maldivians seeking hands-on experience in conservation. To date, 27 interns have completed the programme, with many going on to build careers at conservation organisations across the country.
MTRC also benefits from the support of international volunteers from around the world. They assist with sea turtle husbandry and daily operational tasks, forming an essential part of the centre’s working team. So far, 334 individuals have volunteered at MTRC, carrying its impact and conservation message far beyond the Maldives.
When conservation meets tourism
Reflecting on this ten-year journey, we value our partnership with Coco Collection as a powerful example of how collaboration between conservation organisations and responsible tourism can create measurable, lasting impact. Together, we have strengthened sea turtle conservation medicine, expanded scientific knowledge, and inspired both visitors and local communities to actively care for the marine environment.
As this partnership enters its next chapter, Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and Coco Collection stand not simply as supporters, but as our long-term collaborators in delivering practical, science-driven conservation work that continues to create meaningful benefits for sea turtles, the wider marine ecosystem, and the people of Maldives.
