By adopting one of our current turtle patients, you will be contributing towards the veterinary care and support they need to heal and be released back to the wild.
Please note that we are a small charity, so it may take up to 5 business days for us to email your digital adoption package to you. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Please note: We are a small charity, so it may take up to 5 business days for us to email your digital adoption package to you. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Ufaa is a post-hatchling green sea turtle who was discovered floating in Alif Alif Atoll in January 2026. Her rescuer found her near the harbour of Mathiveri island, and he attempted to guide her back to the sea, however, when it became clear that she was unable to dive, he promptly reached out to us for guidance. She was kept on the island overnight before being transported by boat to the airport and then flown by seaplane to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll.
Upon veterinary assessment, Ufaa was found to have poor mobility and has been admitted for medical treatment. She is currently under close veterinary care, and we remain hopeful that she will make a full recovery.
Oakidu, a sub-adult olive ridley sea turtle, was found entangled in a ghost net by staff at Bandos Maldives Resort, North Malé Atoll, in January 2026. The staff contacted the ORP hotline for guidance. Oakidu was looked after by Marine Savers overnight, before being transferred by seaplane to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll the following day.
Oakidu has suffered wounds to her neck and right front flipper, as well as fractures on her right front flipper. She has also ingested a fishing line which is still in her digestive tract. Oakidu is now in the best place, and we will do everything we can to give her the best chance of recovery.
Aamal is a sub-adult olive ridley sea turtle found by Secret Paradise and Maldives Whale Shark Research Programme during an expedition in the South Ari Marine Park, Maldives, in January 2026. Aamal was spotted floating on the surface, very weak and unable to dive. Following our protocol, the teams retrieved her and with the help of LUX resort, Aamal was transferred to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa atoll for urgent medical care.
Aamal is suffering from Buoyancy Syndrome as well as swelling in her body (edema) and a serious condition where internal tissues have pushed out through the rear opening (cloacal prolapse). She is now receiving our expert medical care, and we will do everything we can to aid her recovery.
Alanaasi, a female olive ridley, was found floating in Baa Atoll, by a snorkelling group in November 2025. They had seen her the previous day and assumed she was simply resting. However, during the next day’s trip Alanaasi was spotted still floating in the same manner. Realising something was wrong, her rescuers retrieved her and we arranged an urgent transfer to our Rescue Centre in the same atoll.
Alanaasi is suffering from lung injuries, causing buoyancy issues and a noticeable tilt to her right side. She also has several external wounds on her carapace. Her blood results indicate anaemia and signs of internal infection. Our team are monitoring her closely, tailoring her treatment plan according to her needs and providing her with the care she needs to heal.
Meet Koamas! She’s a juvenile olive ridley sea turtle, first found struggling to dive near Dhuvaafaru island, in October 2025. Her rescuers were on a dolphin cruise when they spotted her, and immediately reached out to our sea turtle biologist based at the nearby JOALI BEING resort, Raa Atoll. Our sea turtle biologists from Raa and North Malé Atolls then came together with our Malé team and Trans Maldivian Airlines to organise her transfer to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll.
Her intake physical exam and initial diagnostics revealed an extensive lung injury and anemia (low red blood cell count). Despite her challenges, Koamas is quite active and has a good appetite. Our team will tailor her treatment plan as she heals and allow her the space and time to heal.
Chaalu, a juvenile olive ridley turtle, was found entangled in a small ghost net in North Malé Atoll in September 2025. Although her rescuers attempted to release her back into the sea, Chaalu stayed afloat, which is a dangerous condition for sea turtles. Our on site sea turtle biologist arranged her transfer by seaplane to our Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll.
The ligature wounds on Chaalu`s front right flipper, both hind flippers and neck are consistent with ghost net injuries. Our blood tests also revealed that she is battling an internal infection. Her appetite has improved and we have observed Chaalu resting on the bottom of her tank, which is exactly what we want to see and is a very encouraging sign of her progress. We're continuing her medical treatment and conducting regular check-ups to closely monitor her condition.
Riveli, a juvenile olive ridley sea turtle, was found in Laamu Atoll in August 2025. Her rescuer noticed a sea turtle struggling in the waves and went to investigate. She noticed that the sea turtle was missing one front flipper and had a deep cut on one of its hind flippers. Although she was released back to the ocean, the sea turtle kept getting washed back ashore. Our staff collected and transferred Riveli to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll for urgent medical care.
Riveli is missing a front flipper and has wounds on her hind flippers, consistent with ghost net entanglement injuries. On arrival she was anaemic and had an internal infection. But, based on her recent blood results, her internal infection has stabilised, allowing us to discontinue her medical therapy. Riveli has become more confident in her diving skills and is now occasionally resting on the bottom of her tank, although she still sometimes surfaces tail-end first.
Nadya was spotted by a kind-hearted guest at Vakkaru Resort, Baa Atoll, Maldives, in July 2025. She was floating motionless and missing a flipper which immediately raised concern. By the time help arrived, Nadya was drifting towards the shore, exhausted and struggling to swim. The Dive Centre team gently brought her onto the beach, contacted our veterinary team for assistance and soon transferred her by speedboat to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Baa Atoll.
Nadya is in a generally stable condition, however, she is missing her front left flipper and is suffering from Buoyancy Syndrome – when a sea turtle is unable to dive and is left floating on the surface. A significant amount of algae was found growing on her carapace, suggesting she has been floating at the surface for quite some time. Nadya is taking time to adjust to her Targeted External Weight Therapy, but she does finish most of her food during feeding sessions, which is encouraging. We'll continue her medical treatment and closely monitor her condition
Dharifulhu is an adult female olive ridley sea turtle found floating by a research expedition in South Ari Atoll, Maldives, in May 2025. After being observed floating on the surface for some time, Dharifulhu was brought onboard and transferred to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll.
Dharifulhu is missing her front right and her left hind flipper. She is also suffering from severe anaemia and reduced organ function. 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. We're managing her nutrition carefully to help build her strength, and keeping a close watch on her with regular medical check-ups. Despite everything she's been through, Dharifulhu is proof of just how resilient these amazing creatures can be.
Karaa, an adult male olive ridley sea turtle, was discovered entangled in a ghost net in Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives, in March 2024. Trans Maldivian Airways kindly transferred him by seaplane to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll.
Karaa had suffered a severe injury to his left front flipper, and despite our veterinary team´s best efforts to salvage it, the damage was irreparable and it had to be amputated. Karaa has been progressing well since the procedure, showing a healthy appetite and renewed energy. His efforts during dive training sessions give us lots of reasons to be optimistic, and we are hopeful that he will soon begin diving independently. Karaa was recently transferred to another ORP veterinary facility: the Sea Turtle Care Centre at JOALI BEING, Raa Atoll. His condition is currently stable, and the transfer is intended to provide him with additional space and a calmer environment to support his ongoing recovery. There Karaa’s progress will be closely monitored by one of our associate veterinary surgeons.
Nakaiy, an adult female adult olive ridley sea turtle, was rescued from a ghost net in Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives, in November 2023. The next day, Trans Maldivian Airways flew her by seaplane to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll.
Nakaiy had entanglement injuries around her neck, mouth and front left flipper, which was severely injured and diseased. We immediately started providing critical care in the hope of keeping the flipper, which was successful! Nakaiy is recovering from a serious bone infection in both her front flippers. She's no longer on medication, which is great progress, but we´re still providing daily physiotherapy to help her learn to use her flippers again. Bone infections take time to heal completely, but Nakaiy's quiet determination and the small improvements we see each week give us hope.
Treating and rehabilitating sick and injured sea turtles is a long and costly process. There are costs for surgical equipment and drugs, medicine, and food. And many patients require specialist surgery, plasma therapy, laser therapy – sometimes all three – to recover from wounds and infection. It can often take many months for rescued sea turtles to be healthy and strong enough to dive and forage for food again successfully. Only then can they be returned to the wild.
Thank you for your support!
