Barbara

female Olive Ridley turtle (RB.LO.209), admitted 16 March 2020, Velifushi, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives

Weight / Length: 9.8kg / 46.2cm (on admission);

Barbara was found floating on the ocean surface unable to dive, by the team at Dive and Sail Velifushi (Vaavu Atoll).

Barbara arrived at our turtle recovery centre and was found to be suffering from an ear infection and buoyancy syndrome. She is receiving treatment and is under close observation in our recovery pools.

Conna stranded Hawksbill turtle Maldives

Updates May 2020

Barbara is always active in her pool, and she is very curious about her surroundings … watching us and following us around!

She still suffers from turtle buoyancy syndrome, and is still unable to rest on the bottom of her pool. There are signs of improvement though, and she is sitting lower in the water.

Updates June

Barbara injured Olive Ridley rescue turtle Maldives

5 October … Release Day!

Follow Barbara’s route on our turtle satellite tracking map, as she swims around the Maldives and out into open ocean.

Kuda Huraa's satellite-tracking turtle maps

Olive Ridley turtle Barbara with satellite tracking tag Maldives

Use your mouse to move the map, or click on the arrows and +/- buttons to navigate & zoom. Click on the turtle icons and traces for more details.

Barbara was found floating on the ocean surface, and rescued on 16 March. After a period of tlc and rehabilitation at our Turtle Centre, she was successfully released back into the ocean on 5 October 2020.
We attached a turtle-tracking satellite tag, so we can monitor her movements as she swims around the Maldives and beyond …

Update: Unfortunately, we soon lost Barbara’s signal for reasons unknown; perhaps the satellite tag developed a fault, or became dislodged, or maybe she became a victim of poachers.