Sea Turtle Updates, Landaa Giraavaru

Zahiya (RB.LO.011) admitted 26-Mar-12

Suffering from buoyancy (floating) syndrome, with low overall activity. We are encouraging swimming and diving during feedings and providing enrichment activities.

Elsa (RB.LO.031) admitted 08-Jul-13

Healthy, very active and able to dive; often found resting on the bottom of the pool. We are target-training to increase activity levels, improve diving and prepare for a future home in an overseas aquarium.

Ossy (RB.LO.037) admitted 22-Aug-13

We are increasing daily activity by encouraging swimming and diving during feedings. We plan to start using a weight belt across her carapace to determine the amount of weight needed to make Ossy neutrally buoyant. Although this is not a permanent solution, it will help determine Ossy’s chances for release.

Peggy (RB.LO.050) admitted 25-Aug-14

Peggy is very active but cannot dive due to positive buoyancy and floating very high in the water. During feeding, we are offering varieties of food from different areas of the pool to encourage swimming.

Kerry (RB.LO.052) admitted 14-Sep-14

Kerry’s activity has continued to increase, and we are encouraging her to chase food in different areas of the pool.

Rai admitted 25-Jul-15, released on 18-Aug

Rai, a juvenile Olive Ridley turtle, was rescued from a large ghost net by Rai the marine biologist from Amilla Fushi Resort. Rai’s injuries were minor and the turtle quickly recovered during a month long rehabilitation. He was successfully released on 18 August from the beach at Landaa Giraavaru. The deformed lump on Rai’s carapace was most likely caused by trauma suffered at an early age; it should not affect his chances of survival.

Luo Ma admitted 19-Aug-15

On 19 August, some of our guests were out kayaking when they spotted a stranded juvenile Olive Ridley turtle on a sand bank close to the resort. Our Marine Biologists assisted in rescuing the turtle and transporting it back to our Rehabilitation Centre for further evaluation.
Luo Ma is in overall good condition and has been treated for minor dehydration and lacerations caused by entanglement. With a little bit of time, a good diet and some wound care, this turtle should make a full and quick recovery.

Early in August, we removed a huge abandoned “ghost” fishing net from the nearby Parrot Reef. The net was submerged on the coral reef and had started causing some negative effects, although thankfully no marine life had become entangled.