Maldives Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation

Turtle Nesting

Back on 19 October, we were told of a green turtle nest on the beach at Voavah. On the evening of 20 December, hatchlings were spotted emerging from the sand by local staff, following a 62 day incubation (50-70 days is the average). We visited the next day to excavate the nest (standard procedure) to collect valuable biological data. We observed the nest depth ranged from 44cm to 62cm, and counted 69 empty shells, 7 unhatched, 2 undeveloped, 1 blastocyst, 3 embryos, 1 rotten. This indicates a good hatching success rate.

Turtle Clinical Pathology

This month, we upgraded our diagnostic capabilities! Clinical pathology is a crucial aspect of veterinary medicine for reptiles, as it aids in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing their health. Reptiles often hide signs of illness (a behaviour known as ‘cryptic illness’) as a survival strategy in the wild. It is a critical to identify underlying health issues that may not be immediately apparent through physical examination alone. Bloodwork, including haematology and biochemistry, provides valuable insights into organ function, hydration status, and the presence of infections, inflammation, or metabolic disorders; this enables us to monitor the effectiveness of treatments and adjust treatments as required.

Haematological Evaluations

1) Packed Cell Volume (PCV) is measured using a haematocrit reader, to determine percentage of red blood cells in whole blood.
2) White Blood Cell (WBC) Count provides critical information about an animal’s immune system and overall health. In reptiles, as in other animals, WBC count and distribution can indicate various physiological and pathological conditions.
3) Blood smears allow for the examination of the shape, size, and structure of blood cells under a microscope. Abnormalities in cell morphology can indicate diseases such as anemia, infections, or neoplasia. They provide detailed insights into blood cell health, detect parasites, and identify subtle changes that other diagnostic tools might miss.

Biochemical Evaluations

1) Total Solids can be measured by placing the plasma on a refractometer, which allows the measurement of the amount of protein, lipids and other non-cellular components of the plasma. This provides critical insights into hydration status, nutritional health, and the presence of certain diseases such as liver dysfunction or chronic kidney disease.
2) Uric Acid is an important diagnostic parameter in reptiles, providing information about kidney function, metabolism, and overall health. Reptiles excrete nitrogenous waste primarily as uric acid (unlike mammals that excrete urea) making this parameter especially significant for diagnosing conditions related to renal function and hydration.
3) Glucose monitoring is a valuable diagnostic tool, especially for reptiles undergoing treatment, experiencing stress, or recovering from illness. Regular monitoring ensures early detection of metabolic issues and provides insights into the effectiveness of dietary and environmental adjustments.

Clinical Evaluation

This month we acquired a Doppler Monitor! The heart rate of sea turtles can provide insights into their metabolic rate and overall physiological state. By measuring this parameter, we can evaluate whether the turtle’s metabolism is operating within a normal range for its current environmental conditions.
For sea turtles, the resting heart rate can be relatively low, often ranging from 10 to 20 beats per minute (bpm). This is due to their slow metabolism and the need to conserve energy while underwater. While diving, a sea turtle’s heart rate can drop significantly to conserve oxygen, getting as low as as 1-2 bpm during deep dives (prioritising oxygen delivery to the brain and heart). This is an adaptation to reduce oxygen consumption and extend dive duration.

Controlled Drugs Authorization

This month, we were granted our licence to purchase controlled veterinary drugs for our patients. Good anaesthesia is crucial during surgical procedures for turtles, ensuring the safety and comfort of the animal while allowing the veterinarian to perform the procedure effectively. Combining analgesia with proper anaesthetic protocols minimizes stress and pain, reduces risks, and supports faster recovery, making it a cornerstone of effective reptile veterinary care.

REEFSCAPERS Coral Propagation & Reef Restoration in the Maldives

At Landaa this month, we transplanted 20 new coral frames, kindly sponsored by guests (8), the Resort (12), and online (0), adding ~900 new coral fragments to the reef. We monitored (cleaned, repaired, photographed) a total of 388 established coral frames at various sites around Landaa and Voavah. We actively remove any corallivorous species encountered during our maintenance work, which this month included 245 Drupella snails, 5 Monodonta snails, and 6 cushion stars.

Seabar Frames: we relocated 35 medium-sized frames from the Seabar/ Elephant site that had suffered 100% mortality following this year’s coral bleaching event. This month, we completed our recycling work here, before the sponsors’ return to the Resort next month.

At Kuda Huraa this month, our coral experts transplanted 10 new coral frames and conducted 20 hours of underwater monitoring over 5 days, looking for signs of coral spawning. We also hosted our marine biology colleague, Sharnietha,  for some hands-on Reefscapers coral propagation training, covering everything from coral harvesting and underwater photography, to data entry and QGIS mapping.

On the morning of Christmas Eve, we held our Build-a-Reef event but his time with a bespoke star-shaped frame. We had a large turnout, with many guests joining us to aid our mission to help restore the coral reefs around Kuda Huraa. A total of 80 fragments of Acropora and Pocillipora genera were used to populate the frame. We would like to extend our thanks to the Resort for sponsoring this frame, and also to everyone who participated in this fun festive event!