Turtle patient 255: Nadya, adult female olive ridley
Nadya was seen drifting towards the shore at Vakkaru Resort in Baa Atoll. She was missing a flipper and was struggling to swim properly, becoming exhausted. She was swiftly transferred by speedboat to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre for urgent medical care.
The vitals
Admission Date: 21 July 2025
Patient Number: 255
Rescue Location: Baa Atoll
Reason: Found Floating
Transport Method: Speedboat
Status: Current patient
Species: Olive ridley
Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Sex: Female
Age: Adult
Length: 70 cm
Weight: 32.4 kg
The adoptive parents
Nadya has been kindly adopted by Jill & Colin Tenwick.
Nadya’s story
Nadya was first spotted by a kind-hearted guest staying in one of the overwater villas at Vakkaru Resort, Baa Atoll. She was floating motionless and visibly missing a flipper which immediately raised concern. Sensing something was wrong, the guest quickly alerted resort staff, who then contacted the Dive Centre team.
By the time help arrived, Nadya was drifting towards the shore, exhausted and struggling to swim. The team gently brought her onto the beach and contacted our veterinary team for assistance. Thanks to the swift actions of everyone involved, she was safely transferred by speedboat to our Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, Baa Atoll.
Our veterinary team´s medical examination revealed that 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. Our veterinary team will observe her closely for the next few days.
Fun Fact: Nadya is a common name for girls in the Maldives. It means delicate and is sometimes also interpreted as hope in the Arabic language.
Adopt Nadya
When you symbolically adopt one of our turtle patients you will receive:
- A personalised digital adoption certificate with the history of your adopted turtle patient
- A fact sheet about the species of sea turtle you have adopted
- Updates on how your adopted turtle’s recovery is going (if you wish)
- Your name featured on our website (if you wish)
- Notification in the case of a release
We ask for a minimum single donation of £50 to adopt a turtle patient. £50 will contribute to the cost of medical therapy for one patient for two weeks. You can also choose to make a monthly donation of your choice.
Please allow 7 days for the issuing of the certificate. Also note that we do not contact gift recipients directly.
By adopting one of our turtle patients you will contribute towards the cost of our patients’ veterinary care, medications, and transport. You will also help fund our core charitable objectives to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue & conservation medicine, clinical & scientific research, and education & outreach.
