Paree

Paree, meaning “Fairy” in Dhivehi, is an adult female olive ridley who was found entangled in rope near Maavaru Kandu, in Baa Atoll, by the Coco Dive team. Careful efforts were made to disentangle Paree; however, given the severity of the entanglement, certain lines deeply embedded in the flipper required the attention of the veterinary team.

Within 30 minutes of the rescue, Paree had arrived at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu where our Rescue Centre is based. She is currently the largest and heaviest patient at the Rescue Centre!

Following a comprehensive health assessment it was determined that Paree has sustained a profound ligature injury to her right front flipper. Additionally, she is suffering from a gastrointestinal condition, which impedes her diving capabilities due to excessive air accumulation.

Despite her challenges, Paree has been eating very well on her own since arrival, giving us hope for a quick recovery of her digestive system. In the coming days, she will undergo surgery on the affected flipper.

12 March 2024
Paree has a healthy appetite and after being transferred to a larger tank, she has been resting at the bottom and diving effortlessly. We conducted surgery for Paree’s affected flipper and are ensuring regular wound care along with cold laser sessions. Remarkably, she is currently the largest and heaviest patient at the Rescue Centre.

7 April 2024
Paree has shown great progress over the past month. She is able to fully control her buoyancy and is often seen resting on the bottom. She is able to feed independently and has a great appetite. Her ligature injury to the right front flipper is progressing really well under regular wound care and cold laser therapy sessions regimen. We are hoping for a speedy recovery for Paree.

12 May 2024
Paree’s ligature injury on her right front flipper has healed significantly. However, we’ve noticed the emergence of a focal bone infection in her metacarpus, prompting her to guard that flipper. She has been a bit subdued compared to her usual self, and has shown a slight decrease in appetite. To address this new challenge, we have adjusted her therapy regimen. This includes targeted cold laser therapy aimed at providing pain relief to the affected area, ensuring Paree’s comfort and aiding in her recovery.

9 June 2024
Paree has shown huge improvement this month. Her good appetite is restored and she has returned to her old habit of foraging along the bottom of her tank. She is also much more active, and, although she is not using her right front flipper fully, she has begun to show some movement during her treatments.

7 July 2024
Paree is showing a keen preference for prawns this month and enjoys foraging for them at the bottom of the tank. Her right front flipper is slowly improving with laser therapy, and she is now moving it more when swimming or interacting with the environmental enrichment device we added to her enclosure.

11 August 2024
Paree is eating a variety of fish in addition to her preferred prawns. Her recent X-rays show that the focal bone infection in her right shoulder is stabilising. We have discontinued all medical therapy, but we are continuing with her cold laser therapy sessions.

27 August 2024
The veterinary team is excited to announce that Paree has been cleared for release. She has been eating consistently, has full control of her buoyancy, and is gradually regaining a wider range of motion in her affected right front flipper. The team is confident that Paree will continue to improve, and there is no need to delay her release further, as she can continue her recovery in the wild.