Turtle Patient 228: Nooru, Adult Female Olive Ridley
Nooru was found by the Coco Dive team from Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu (the resort where we are based) while they were out on an excursion near Maavaru Kandu in Baa Atoll.
The Vitals
Admission Date: 17 December 2023
Patient Number: 228
Rescue Location: Baa Atoll
Reason: Found Entangled
Transport Method: Speedboat
Status: Current patient
Species: Olive ridley
Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
Sex: Female
Age: Adult
Length: 67.8 cm
Weight: 36 kg
The Adoptive Parents
Nooru has been adopted by Rebecca for Paul “Poppy” Sims, by Christoph Kaestner and by Mary van Eker for Jennifer Harlow.
Nooru’s Story
Nooru, which in Dhivehi means “holy light”, is an adult olive ridley that was found by the Coco Dive team from Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu – our resort partner where we are based – near Maavaru Kandu in Baa Atoll.
Nooru has deep ligature injuries to her left front and right hind flippers with bone exposure on both. She is in overall good body condition but her blood work shows signs of infection and her X-rays showed a fracture on her humerus. The veterinary team was able to confirm she is a female on an ultrasound exam where her ovaries were visible as well as developing follicles.
Nooru is being stabilised to undergo surgery soon. She is settling in well and has already starting eating.
8 January 2024
Since her admission, Nooru has undergone two surgeries. The first involved the amputation of her left front flipper, as regrettably, it was too diseased for salvage. The second surgery focused on debridement, meticulously cleaning all wounds, with special attention to removing dead tissue and promoting healing in her right hind flipper. Concurrently, Nooru is receiving platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) in conjunction with photobiomodulation (PBM) to facilitate the healing process and increase the chances of salvaging her right hind flipper. Remarkably, Nooru has responded well to both surgeries, maintaining a good appetite throughout her recovery.
We have now initiated her on Targeted External Weight Therapy as well, to motivate her to start diving.
During an ultrasound exam, we were able to confirm Nooru’s gender as female, with visible ovaries and developing follicles.
11 February 2024
Nooru is possibly one of our most stressed patients at the moment, primarily due to her persistent attempts to dive. In response, we have increased her External Targeted Weight Therapy to encourage this natural behaviour.
Fortunately, Nooru’s wounds have responded positively to the initial surgical procedures and platelet-rich plasma injections. We maintain a consistent regimen of wound cleaning, application of manuka honey, and cold laser sessions, and we are growing more confident in the recovery of her right hind flipper. The amputation site also shows gradual but steady healing. It’s important to note that sea turtles in folliculogenesis (the process of developing follicles, which are tiny sacs containing eggs within the ovaries, in preparation for ovulation) typically have a slower healing rate, but Nooru is progressing in the right direction.
12 March 2024
Nooru’s wounds are healing nicely, particularly her right hind flipper which has shown a drastic improvement. We are now concentrating on her dive training by adjusting her Targeted External Weight Therapy. However, Nooru has experienced a noticeable decrease in appetite over the last month due to a gastrointestinal condition, which we are monitoring closely.
7 April 2024
We have discontinued all medical therapy for Nooru and are monitoring her response closely to prevent any setbacks. Thankfully, she has regained her appetite and started eating well again. Nooru’s wounds are healing nicely as we continue to give her cold laser therapy sessions and monitor her bone health through regular X-rays.
Adopt Nooru
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 one time gift 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.
Once we receive confirmation of the donation and your adoption form (please make sure the names on the donation and adoption forms match), we will issue the adoption certificate with details about the turtle patient to you or the gift recipient. Please allow 7 days for the issuing of the certificate.
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 and rehabilitation, scientific research, and education and outreach.
