Turtle patient 252: Dharifulhu, adult female olive ridley

Adopt sea turtle patient Dharifulhu to support her recovery. Image.
Dharifulhu

Dharifulhu, an olive ridley sea turtle, was found floating by a Whale Shark Research Trip from Secret Paradise. After being observed floating for some time, she was brought onboard and transferred to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre.

Admission Date: 17 May 2025
Patient Number: 252
Rescue Location: South Ari Atoll
Reason: Found Floating
Transport Method: Seaplane
Status: Current patient

Species: Olive ridley
Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Sex: Female
Age: Adult
Length: 67.2 cm
Weight: 31.4 kg


Dharifulhu’s story

Dharifulhu, an olive ridley sea turtle, was found floating during a Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme expedition in collaboration with Secret Paradise Maldives. After being observed floating for some time, Dharifulhu was brought onboard and transferred to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre. Dharifulhu was first taken to LUX* South Ari Atoll, where marine biologist Ighasha cared for her overnight. The following day she was transported to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre on Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Baa Atoll, Maldives.

Our comprehensive health assessment revealed that Dharifulhu is missing the front right and left hind flipper. She is also suffering from severe anaemia and reduced organ function. Our team is now closely monitoring her.

Fun fact: in Dhivehi, the language spoken in the Maldives, “Dharifulhu” is an affectionate term used by parents for their children.

6 July 2025
Dharifulhu arrived severly anaemic, which can make sea turtles extremely weak and more vulnerable to complications. We immediately placed her on a supportive treatment plan that includes fluids, nutritional support, and medication to help stabilize her condition. At first, she was too stressed and unwell to eat, but with gentle care and patience, she’s now adjusted to her new environment and eats well with help from our team using feeding tongs. Despite everything she’s been through, Dharifulhu is proof of just how resilient these amazing creatures can be.

10 August 2025
Dharifulhu has given us reason to celebrate over the last month, with encouraging improvements in her blood work. While she’s still battling severe anemia, the positive changes we are seeing give us hope. Even more heartening is her increased awareness of her surroundings and growing interest in food. Though she can be a bit selective at mealtimes, she consistently eats well, which is exactly what we want to see. Our veterinary team remains committed to her care with regular health monitoring, and we’re encouraged by her small but meaningful steps forward.

7 September 2025
Dharifulhu’s personality is shining through more each day! She’s become increasingly alert and spirited, “feisty” as we say, showing great awareness of her surroundings and genuine excitement during meal times. This behavioral change suggests good progress in her overall condition. We continue careful tong feeding to prevent overexertion and ensure she gets the rest she needs. A recent minor procedure to remove granulomatous tissue from her nose injury went smoothly, though we are still closely monitoring her due to persistent anemia. Her growing fighting spirit gives us confidence that she’s finding her strength again.

12 October 2025
Dharifulhu’s recovery is taking time, but she’s moving in the right direction, which is what matters most. Her appetite remains strong which is always a good sign! We’re hand-feeding her with tongs so she can save her energy and focus on building her strength back up rather than chasing after food. We’ve been encouraged to see her starting to attempt slightly deeper dives during feeding times, showing us that she’s gaining confidence bit by bit.

Her wounds on the outside are healing nicely with our ongoing care. Recent blood tests show her condition is improving, though she’s still dealing with severe anemia, meaning her body doesn’t have enough healthy red blood cells yet. To keep her as comfortable as possible, we conduct her check-ups every two weeks rather than more frequently, which helps reduce stress while still keeping a close watch on her progress. We’re hopeful that with patience and continued care, Dharifulhu will reach her next milestone soon.

9 November 2025
Dharifulhu is showing steady, encouraging signs of improvement, and her recovery continues to move in a positive direction. Her wounds are healing nicely with the consistent care we provide. Recent blood tests show that while she’s still dealing with severe anemia (low red blood cell count), her overall condition is gradually improving. This tells us that her body is slowly but surely regaining its strength. Right now, Dharifulhu is being hand-fed with tongs as she builds up the energy and health she needs for the next step; buoy feeding, where she’ll actively chase her food. We expect this exciting transition will happen soon. The best news is that her appetite remains strong, which is always a wonderful sign and helps fuel her ongoing recovery. Every meal is helping Dharifulhu get closer to the ocean!

7 December 2025
Dharifulhu continues to make steady progress on her recovery journey. Her appetite remains strong, and she consistently finishes every meal we offer her, which is exactly what we want to see. We’re hand-feeding her with tongs to make sure she’s getting enough nutrition to combat her ongoing anemia and build up her strength. We’re also conducting regular check-ups to closely monitor her health and ensure she stays on the right track. While anemia can be a slow condition to overcome, Dharifulhu’s consistent eating and gradual improvements give us real hope. She’s putting in the work, and we’re confident she’s heading in the right direction.

11 January 2026
Dharifulhu’s recovery continues at a slow but steady pace. Her latest blood results show encouraging improvement, though her red blood cell count is still lower than we’d like it to be. The progress we’re seeing in her blood work is showing up in her personality too — she’s much more alert and engaged with what’s happening around her. She’s eating well during most feeding sessions, and she has a definite favourite: silverskin (a tasty part of tuna). We’re managing her nutrition carefully to help build her strength, and keeping a close watch on her with regular medical check-ups. It’s always rewarding to see her continuing to improve.

8 February 2026
Dharifulhu had a significant month. She had granulomatous tissue growing near her nose that was blocking her airway, and we successfully removed it through surgery. Dharifulhu is recovering well from the procedure and her appetite has remained strong throughout her recovery, which is an excellent sign. This month she also transitioned to buoy feeding which is an important milestone and marks the beginning of her dive training. We continue to monitor her closely and remain encouraged by her steady improvement.

8 March 2026
Dharifulhu is making steady, encouraging progress. She is currently in buoy training to help her manage her position and movement in the water, and she is doing well. Her blood work has improved significantly since she first arrived, and while she is still mildly anaemic, the positive trend is clear. She also has a small nasal wound that requires careful watching, as it can become irritated, but our team is monitoring it closely to make sure it never affects her breathing or comfort. Her appetite is generally good, with the occasional day where she is less interested, which is something we can all relate to! Overall, Dharifulhu is stable and improving, and she continues to receive our close, attentive care as she works through her recovery at her own pace

Dharifulhu’s Adopters

Dharifulhu has kindly been adopted by John Bingham, by Carla-Jo for Ezra, by Gary, by Manuela Modena, by Isabel Raad, by Dr. Manoj H.R. for Vishwas, by Natalia for Jana, by Yvonne & Benno, by Steven for Moira, by Saskia Dragosits, by Josef Koller, by Manon Ylenia Mueller, by Valentina Farassino, by Abbie and by Rebecca Kuhn.