We operate two dedicated sea turtle clinical facilities across the Maldives:
- Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll
- Sea Turtle Care Centre in Raa Atoll.
Together, these centres enable us to respond to and treat the full range of injuries and health conditions affecting sea turtles in Maldivian waters. From pioneering advanced medical care to developing innovative approaches that link sea turtle conservation with broader ecosystem health, we operate at the forefront of clinical and scientific innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of knowledge to drive meaningful change in the Maldives and beyond.
Sea turtle emergency – Maldives only
If you have found an injured, sick or entangled sea turtle in the Maldives, please contact our 24-hours sea turtle emergency hotline: Call/WhatsApp/Viber: Maldives 955 2205
The veterinary team
Dr Pau
Our clinical facilities are led by our Director of Conservation Medicine, Dr Max Polyak – one of the most experienced sea turtle clinicians in the world. Day-to-day operations are managed by our dedicated veterinary team, interns, and one to three volunteers. Between April and October, we also welcome veterinary surgeons participating in our Veterinary Training Programme.
The clinical facilities
Marine Turtle Rescue Centre, Baa Atoll
We opened the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre (MTRC) in February 2017 in partnership with Coco Collection at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in Baa Atoll. It was the first fully equipped, veterinary surgeon-led rescue centre for sea turtles in the Maldives. Today, it remains a unique facility, treating mostly olive ridley turtles and conducting clinical as well as sea turtle health research, grounded in a One Health approach linking human, animal, and ecosystem health.
The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre has seven tanks of varying sizes, where our patients spend the majority of their time while under our care. A large main tank is specifically used for selected patients that are undergoing different types of diving therapy which require more space and depth for our clinicians to evaluate them. Two smaller tanks serve as ‘Intensive Care Unit’ tanks. They are used for critical patients or those recovering from surgery as they require constant observation by our veterinary surgeons.
All the tanks are supplied by fresh sea water directly from the ocean in a fully automated sand filtration and water-flow regulation system. This optimises water quality and forms a crucial component of the health and well-being of our patients. The system was developed and designed by Coco Collection’s engineer team.
Volunteers & Visitors
We run a sea turtle volunteer programme, at the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre open to anyone above the age of 18.
Guests at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu are very welcome to visit the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre between 10am & 4pm every day. Guests can also watch patient feeding every day at around 2pm.
Funding & Founding
The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre became a reality thanks to the dreams, hard work, and generous support of many individuals and organisations. We are deeply grateful to each and every one.
We especially thank Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu for hosting and continuously supporting us, the Pacsafe Turtle Fund for their initial grant for medical equipment, and OceanCare for long-term funding of essential medical supplies and veterinary services.
A heartfelt thank you goes to our incredible turtle patient adopters and donors – your support enables us to keep the Rescue Centre running. And to our dedicated volunteers, who help care for our patients every day – we couldn’t do it without you.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us.
Marine Turtle Rescue Centre facility permit: ERA/2024/RC-04
Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Care Centre at JOALI Being
The Sea Turtle Care Centre (RSTCC) in Raa Atoll opened in May, 2024, in partnership with our partner resort JOALI BEING. The facility includes both a holding tank and a main treatment tank for sea turtle patients, and serves two important functions: It can care for up to two sea turtles that require less intensive treatment, providing a quiet “step-down” space for recovery before release. In addition, it also functions as a first-response triage centre for emergency cases, where patients can be stabilised before they are transferred to the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre for advanced care.
Under the guidance of ORP’s veterinary team, the RSTCC is led by an associate veterinary surgeon, and supported by a sea turtle biologist. Together, they contribute to sea turtle conservation medicine, engage local communities, and promote One Health awareness in Raa Atoll and beyond.
Funding & Founding:
We would like to thank JOALI BEING for hosting our team and for giving The Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Care Centre a home.
Visitors:
Guests at JOALI BEING are welcome to visit the RSTCC and sea turtle patients between 9am to 6pm everyday.
Raa Sea Turtle Care Centre facility permit: EPA/2023/RC-02
All clinical activities in the Maldives are carried out under permits and with the guidance and support of the Environment Regulation Authority (ERA) of the Maldives.
