The ocean is now my office!
Hello, I’m Kelly, the newest Marine Biology Intern here at Kuda Huraa. After graduating in 2020 and spending several years as a travel guide, I was excited to return to my passion and area of study in marine science; and in the Maldives too… what a place to do it! I am just wrapping up my first month and, boy, what a fun time it has been. It’s hard to imagine that so much has happened in merely a month, but I suppose that’s how island-time goes.
Coming down to land in the Maldives for the first time, I was speechless from the moment I saw my very first glimpse of the turquoise-blue waters outside the plane window… photos really cannot do these beautiful islands justice. After a quick ferry ride from the airport, I was welcomed by a team of friendly Four Seasons staff and the members of Reefscapers, people who I would soon call not only coworkers but good friends. My adventure started the very next day, and there hasn’t been a dull moment since.
Sending underwater 💙
I soon discovered that I had arrived in the middle of the SW monsoon season. Although it rained during my first week, I was able to join several snorkel trips, and spent time learning how the Marine Discovery Centre functions. Our turtle biologist and the departing intern were super-helpful in showing me how to take care of Ari, our Olive Ridley sea turtle patient. I quickly realised that she’s as much a part of the team as anyone in the Reefscapers uniform! Who knew a sea turtle could have so much personality? Feeding and caring for her and the aquariums are a big part of my job as an intern … as well as supplying rounds of coffees! ☕☕☕
When the weather improved, I was excited to get into the water, even if it meant relocating some heavy coral frames, and then fighting strong ocean currents to monitor for coral eggs. In between my time in the water leading snorkel excursions and maintaining coral frames, I learned how to ID turtles, examine weather and tide forecasts for coral spawning purposes, give marine presentations, and I’ve seen more dolphins than I can count!
We photograph dolphins for our ID Project
Experiments with turtle enrichment devices
Things became even more exciting when a new turtle arrived. Dhondheeni, another Olive Ridley turtle also missing both her front flippers and suffering from buoyancy syndrome, was found by divers in Addu (the most southern Atoll in the Maldives). After a two-hour flight and a 30-minute boat ride, Dhondheeni arrived at Kuda Huraa where we wheeled her over to our rehabilitation tanks, gave her some water and tried to make her as comfortable as possible. I’m still not sure if Ari has adapted to sharing the spotlight! The last few weeks have been defined by caring for Dhondheeni’s wounds and encouraging her to feed. She is still getting used to her new surroundings, but is making good progress, and finding crabs a tasty meal.
One day in August, taking the boat ride back from the local island of Bodu Huraa, we saw an orange mat-like substance floating on the current. Lo and behold, they were coral eggs, indicating a coral spawning event (that we later deduced must have occurred over two days, 12-13 August). The next two hours were a whirlwind, as we collected some of the coral eggs and relocated them to one of our tanks. It was a late-night finish, but an experience I never imagined I would ever witness. Unfortunately, the coral eggs didn’t last long, but it was a good practice run for the next spawning event.
Characteristic salmon-pink coral spawn floats on the surface
Coral gametes under the microscope
Our other large project in the works is testing new cable ties to find a more sustainable solution to the plastic zip ties we currently use to mount coral fragments onto the frames. We have created a frame with four different cable ties and six different coral species, to see how well each works… updates to come!
With all the activity, it’s easy to take for granted that I get to kayak to work, and then spend all day snorkeling, and sometimes I need to remind myself that this is an experience of a lifetime. So, here’s to an amazing first month, with two more still to come!
See you in Chapter #2
Kelly 💙
Do you want to experience life as a marine biologist
here in the Maldives ?
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