Released
Kalo – Arrived 24 April 2022, Released from AMC 28 September 2022
Kalo showed consistent improvement in his diving at Atoll Marine Centre (AMC), specially in his tank. Despite the sea cage being under maintenance for most of Kalo’s stay at AMC, he was able to spend some time in the cage with the staff keeping a watchful eye on him. In time, Kalo’s buoyancy control and diving ability improved wonderfully, and the rehab team at AMC decided to release Kalo. On his release day, Kalo dived confidently into the sea and he very easily took to each increase in depth, even attempting to snack on the way!
Kalo’s successful release is a testament to our thriving partnership with Atoll Marine Centre, who time and again have graciously accepted our sea turtle patients, and ensured their rehabilitation. We thank AMC for their exemplary work!
New Arrivals
Lakia – Arrived 14 September 2022
Lakia, meaning ‘found treasure’ in Dhivehi, is a sub-adult olive ridley turtle, who was found entangled at Maamunagau Intercontinental in Raa Atoll on September 14, 2022. The nets were removed but Lakia appeared to have buoyancy problems and had sustained some injuries. Upon his arrival at the Rescue Centre, we found that he had constriction wounds at all flippers, worst at the left rear flipper with bone exposure due to deep entanglement. X-rays revealed a broken bone in the right front flipper and and a small break in the right back flipper. He also suffered from pneumocoelom – a condition associated with gas accumulation in the body cavity, likely caused by lung tears and common in turtles that have suffered entanglement.
A neurological examination revealed that his right front flipper thankfully retained some degree of sensation and viability. Therefore, a conservative approach was elected in an attempt to salvage all flippers. Lakia then underwent a full surgical debridement – a procedure that involves a more detailed assessment of the wounds and thorough cleaning/ disinfection under general anesthesia. The procedure went well, Lakia recovered fast and even started eating on the same day.
Most recently, Lakia is using all his flippers to swim and dive, and is maintaining a great appetite. His neurological exams show consistent presence of pain reflex and sensation at his fractured right front flipper. However, the abnormal range of movement of that flipper is still obvious at this point and is expected to take a while before improvement is observed.
Resident Patients
Naseeb – Arrived 7 august 2022
Naseeb’s appetite has been consistently good and he has successfully put on some weight over time. He is much more active now, but is still not using his right front flipper. Wound assessment revealed signs of infection at his right front flipper with discharge from the wound. The team is conducting regular wound cleaning sessions and closely monitoring the healing progress. Meanwhile, repeat X-rays have revealed signs of deterioration at his left shoulder joint infection. Understandably, Naseeb is not using his left front flipper, except during diving. He has been put on a course of antibiotics, and is being given fluid therapy, pain relief, and topical wound care management.
The good news is that Naseeb remains very active and bright. Therefore, the team has moved Naseeb to a larger tank, to provide him with more space to dive and to use his left front flipper more comfortably.
Fida – Arrived 6 August 2022
We have some great news from Fida – she has finally started diving! She began with successfully submerging her carapace and staying below the water surface for a few seconds, and over the weeks progressed to diving consistently with encouragement during feeding time! This is a big achievement when compared to the day when she arrived. Fida’s wounds on her right front and right rear stumps continue to improve, and she is adapting very well to swimming without her right flippers. Her diet plan has been adjusted to help her build some muscle mass and strength for diving. Considering her improvement, the team plans to take her out on a sea swim to provide enrichment and also to stimulate her natural diving behaviour.
Kakuni, Arrived 17 July 2022
Although there have been no successful diving attempt so far, Kakuni continues to show great interest in food during feeding and has repeatedly been able to get her entire carapace submerged when trained. She uses buoy feeders and responds very well to training. Her wounds are healing nicelyl, except for the deep wounds at her lower shell (plastron) that might progressively slough off as part of the healing process. We are hopeful that with regular enrichment training, Kakuni will start diving soon.
Uno, Arrived 28 June 2022
Uno has shown tremendous improvement over the weeks, and although his positioning and usage of the front flipper remains somewhat abnormal, he is showing good range of movement at the affected flipper. A slight improvement has been detected in his X-rays recently, however, the bone deformity at his right flipper is expected to be permanent due to previous injury. Despite this, Uno uses all his flippers well, continues to dive for food speedily, and enjoys each of his meals with much relish. He is currently placed on a course of anti-fungal medication, till the end of October this year. If all goes well, Uno will most likely be the next patient to be released!
Gus – Arrived 30 May 2022
Gus, much like Uno, is diving expertly and enjoying his meals. His wounds are healing very well after rounds of deep wound cleaning. Although the repeat X-rays of his left knee joint showed signs of persistent infection, there was no deterioration detected over the past couple of weeks. His treatment plan for the joint will continue, along with a course of anti-fungal medication, which is scheduled for completion in late November this year. Our team is hopeful for Gus’s release by the end of this year, given his X-rays continue to show positive results, and his knee infection heals completely.
Pepe – Arrived 13 May 2022
Pepe’s diving is seeing slow but definite improvement at the Rescue Centre, thanks to buoy training. She is now able to stay under the water surface with her carapace completely submerged for longer periods when encouraged with food. However, when taken out for a sea swim, Pepe did not seem to enjoy it and appeared stressed in the open ocean, indicating that she needs a little more time. Since she needs to practice her diving, we are planning to move her to the sea cage at Marine Savers, Four Seasons Resort Landaa Giraavaru. We are positive that Pepe will benefit tremendously with sea cage training, where she can learn to dive in a more natural environment.
Leonardo – Arrived 14 February 2022
Leonardo continues to dive without much usage of his right front flipper, except when motivated to do so during feeding time. He relies primarily on his back flippers to dive and navigate in his tank. The bone infection at his right shoulder joint is being monitored regularly via X-ray. Leo has been put on physiotherapy to facilitate healing for the bone infection, along with continued training during feeding time to encourage usage of his right flipper. His medication has been resumed and extended, and our team is watching him closely. Apart from that, Leo remains curious and loves sitting at the bottom of the tank, peeking at Pepe from the gap under the divider of the tank.
Heidi – Arrived 21st April 2018
Heidi’s transfer to UK is expected to take place towards the end of October. As the team prepares for his departure, Heidi continues to be his best playful self – swimming, diving and eating well in his tank. As always, he is the undisputed guests’ favourite at the Rescue Centre.
