Turtle Patient 180: Cleopatra, Sub-Adult Female Olive Ridley
Cleopatra was found floating in Haa Dhaalu Atoll in the north of the Maldives with significant buoyancy issues and a broken jaw.
The Vitals
Intake Date: 25 February 2022
Patient Number: 180
Rescue Location: Haa Dhaalu Atoll
Reason: Found floating
Transport Method: Seaplane
Status: Deceased 5 March 2022
Species: Olive ridley
Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Sex: Female
Age: Sub-Adult
Length: 56.3 cm
Weight: 12 kg
Cleopatra’s Story
Cleopatra arrived from quite far north in the Maldives. She was found with significant buoyancy issues and a broken jaw. Despite intervention, including draining the excess air and complete stress reduction and also managing to get her to eat, she passed away on the morning of the 5th March. It’s devastating as always, but unfortunately we know all too well how fragile these highly buoyant distended turtles are, and, despite our best efforts, we find they often suddenly die. We will conduct her post mortem as soon as possible.
