Turtle Patient 165: Mojo, Sub-Adult Olive Ridley
Mojo was found floating in the open ocean in Haa Dhaalu Atoll, trying to dive. He was rescued by staff from Barefoot Eco Hotel in Hanimaadhoo, and was sent to us by sea plane via Hideaway Beach Resort & Spa.
The Vitals
Intake Date: 7 January 2022
Patient Number: 165
Rescue Location: Haa Dhaalu Atoll
Reason: Found floating
Transport Method: Seaplane
Status: Deceased 14 January 2022
Species: Olive ridley
Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Sex: Unknown
Age: Sub-Adult
Length: cm
Weight: 18.85 kg
Mojo’s Story
Mojo is a sub-adult olive ridley that was found floating in the open ocean trying to dive. He has all four flippers intact and no signs of entanglement, but he has severe buoyancy syndrome. He also has a prolapsed cloaca and damage to his left eye, but these should both resolve with treatment. Mojo hasn’t yet had X-rays to determine the cause of his buoyancy issues, but we will perform those in the next few days and this will give us a clearer understanding of his internal issues.
9 January 2022
Mojo is settling in OK and adjusting to his daily fluids and eye drops, although he is still very stressed.
16 January 2022
Mojo had been getting on very well with minimal handling and every effort to reduce her stress, but unfortunately, quite randomly, one morning we woke up and she had died. It’s very sad and disappointing. On post mortem we could see she did have some apparent heart issues, with abnormally sized chambers which may have been caused by the pressures placed on her system by the air inside her. Buoyant turtles often are very much balanced on a knife’s edge.
