Thoofaan

Thoofaan is a juvenile olive ridley turtle who was found floating near the jetty by the Front Office Manager at Jawakara Islands Maldives in Lhaviyani Atoll, which is where our Sea Turtle Health Institute is located. Thoofaan was retrieved and transferred to the institute for medical care.

His initial medical examination revealed significant algae growth on his carapace, indicating that he had been floating for quite some time. He is also showing signs of Buoyancy Syndrome, and blood tests revealed that he is slightly anaemic. Our veterinary team is closely monitoring his condition and will tailor his treatment plan accordingly.

Fun fact: Thoofaan (ޠޫފާން) means “storm” in Dhivehi.

12 August 2026
With heavy hearts, we share the sad news that Thoofaan has passed away. His loss came as a surprise to our team, as he had been making encouraging progress in recent weeks, despite occasional fluctuations in his condition. We did everything possible to support his recovery, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his illness. Our post-mortem exam revealed that Thoofaan was suffering from severe lung disease, which had also led to the failure of several other organs. His case serves as a reminder of how resilient wild animals can be. In the wild, signs of weakness can make an animal more vulnerable to predators, so many species instinctively hide pain and illness. Although Thoofaan appeared bright, active, and was able to dive, the severity of his underlying condition was not fully reflected in his outward behaviour.

While we are deeply saddened by his passing, we take comfort in knowing that he is now at peace and free from suffering. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who supported Thoofaan throughout his journey. Your kindness and compassion meant a great deal to both him and our team.

9 August 2026
Thoofaan is now frequently observed resting on the bottom of his tank, which is a great sign of improving buoyancy and strength! His appetite has been somewhat variable lately, likely due to the recent weather changes and his tendency to be selective with food. To ensure he continues receiving adequate nutrition, we provide a variety of food to encourage him to feed consistently. Recent blood tests have also shown positive developments, with his body producing more red blood cells than before. Although he remains moderately anaemic, this trend is encouraging, and we are hopeful that he will continue moving in the right direction.

12 July 2026
Thoofaan’s condition remains stable. He is becoming increasingly comfortable with diving, and he is resting on the bottom of his tank more frequently which is a very encouraging sign! His appetite has improved significantly, and we are happy to see him consistently finishing all of his food. Thoofaan is still battling anaemia, and we continue to provide supportive care to help him recover. We remain hopeful that his condition will continue to improve with time. To ensure he stays on the right track, we carry out weekly medical check-ups to closely monitor his health and adapt his care as needed.

7 June 2026
Thoofaan has a had a great month! His diving ability continues to improve, and he has reached a brilliant milestone: he is now able to rest on the bottom of his tank! For a sea turtle who has been struggling with buoyancy, this is an important milestone. His tail end does still occasionally drift upward when he dives, so we are keeping a close eye on this, but the overall trajectory is wonderfully positive. His appetite has also made a remarkable turnaround — he is now polishing off every last bit of his food at mealtimes, which tells us he is feeling stronger and more like himself. It is one of those simple but deeply encouraging signs that a patient is truly on the mend. Thoofaan is giving us so much to smile about and we cannot wait to share more good news about him in the months ahead!

10 May 2026
Thoofaan has pleasantly surprised us with his progress! Over the past few days, he has been attempting to dive more often and has successfully managed to fully submerge and stay underwater for short periods of time. He is becoming more comfortable with diving, although he is still not yet able to rest on the bottom of the tank. This progress is a very encouraging sign and gives us hope that he is moving in the right direction toward recovery. His appetite has also improved significantly, and he is no longer very picky with his food. We will continue to closely monitor his condition and adapt his treatment plan as he progresses.

12 April 2026
Thoofaan has been making gentle progress over the last month. His appetite is gradually picking up, and he is beginning to feel more at home in his surroundings which is really encouraging to see. However he is still sensitive to activity and stimulation around him, so we are taking a very soft approach, minimising handling and giving him the calm, quiet space he needs to recover at his own pace.

There are still a few medical challenges to work through. Thoofaan continues to experience Buoyancy Syndrome, and is currently on Targeted External Weight Therapy to help him find his balance in the water. His recent blood results also show that he remains moderately anaemic and is fighting an internal infection, both of which are being carefully managed with medication. Thoofaan has a way to go yet, but we are with him every step of the way.

8 March 2026
Thoofaan is still adapting to his new environment. He remains quite skittish around people and becomes stressed during handling, so we are minimising any unnecessary stimulation, as stress can also impact his immune system. To address his Buoyancy Syndrome, we have started Targeted External Weight Therapy to help improve his balance and diving ability. Based on his recent blood results, he is still moderately anaemic and shows signs of infection, so he is currently receiving medical treatment for this as well. We will continue to monitor his condition closely while giving him the space and time he needs to adjust and recover.