Thureesha

Thureesha is a juvenile olive ridley sea turtle who was found floating near Siyam World Resort in Noonu Atoll. Thuhu, the resort’s marine biologist, became concerned and promptly contacted our hotline for guidance. Thanks to her swift action, we were able to transfer Thureesha by speedboat to the Sea Turtle Health Institute at Jawakara, Lhaviyani Atoll on the same day.

Following her initial medical examination, our veterinary team found that Thureesha has partially lost her right front flipper. Blood tests also revealed that she is severely anaemic and has significant kidney dysfunction, requiring intensive and careful medical care. Our veterinary team is closely monitoring her condition, and we remain hopeful that with continued treatment she will recover and eventually thrive again.

Fun fact: Thureesha’s name is a combination inspired by her rescuer’s name.

14 May 2026
With heavy hearts, we share that Thureesha has passed away. Despite the best efforts of our veterinary team, she sadly succumbed to her kidney dysfunction. Thureesha’s journey was a difficult one, but throughout her time with us she was surrounded by care, compassion, and support. While we are deeply saddened by this loss, we take comfort in knowing that she is now finally at peace and free from pain. Thank you to everyone who supported Thureesha and followed her journey until her final moments.

10 May 2026
Over the past few weeks, Thureesha has made some slow progress. We are still treating her kidney dysfunction and she remains severely anaemic. The good news, however, is that her appetite is improving and she has been eating quite reliably. We are providing the best possible treatment to aid her recovery and we hope to see more improvement soon.

12 April 2026
Thureesha has had some ups and downs, however her condition remains much the same as last month. Her appetite continues to be inconsistent — on her good days she finishes her meal, but often she prefers a little peace and quiet over food. We are respecting that and giving her plenty of space while making sure she always has access to her favourite seafood, in the hope of tempting her appetite when she is ready. Recovery looks different for every sea turtle, and Thureesha is reminding us that patience is just as important as medicine. We are keeping a close eye on her and remain by her side for every step of this journey, however long it takes.

8 March 2026
Thureesha has been progressing well so far. She surprised our team by resting on the bottom of the tank, which is a very positive sign. However, her recent blood results show that she is still severely anaemic and has moderate renal dysfunction, so she is not out of the woods yet. That said, her external wounds are slowly healing, and her appetite is gradually improving as well. She can still be a bit picky with her food at times, but we are offering a variety of seafood to ensure she receives the nutrition she needs for recovery. Our veterinary team will continue to monitor her condition closely.