Maamui

Maamui’s Story

Maamui, which in Dhivehi means “Honey”, was rescued by our ORP biologist Julian and intern Sarah, who had recently been to the Rescue Centre to receive training and knew exactly how to act. Maamui had to travel by domestic plane to Malé and from there take a seaplane to arrive at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu.

Upon arrival, Maamui was quite stressed and needed a mild sedation to help her calm down. Her blood-work showed signs of infection and her X-rays revealed a severe accumulation of air outside of her lungs which was pressuring all her internal organs. Maamui underwent an emergency procedure to alleviate it, although it wasn’t very successful. She has been on supportive therapy since arrival. We are closely monitoring her as her condition is still quite critical.

12 March 2023
Maamui has been on supportive therapy since she arrived as she has signs of infection on her blood work. She has been eating although she is quite the picky eater and prefers mostly the crabs. Maamui is still very buoyant but we are giving time for her lungs to heal and hopefully the remaining air to be absorbed.

27 March 2023
Despite intensive therapy, Maamui continued to decline and did not respond to treatment. We were able to determine that Maamui was suffering from acute renal failure, meaning her kidneys stopped working abruptly, which is a complication related to her torn lungs. After her death, we performed a post-mortem examination which confirmed she was indeed a female sea turtle. We suspect she passed due to kidney failure and will use her case to help guide therapy for future patients with the same disease process.

Maamui spent a little over a month with us but left her mark. We are very saddened by her loss but will continue to provide our very best efforts for the remaining patients under our care.