Erica

juvenile Olive Ridley turtle (RB.LO.178), admitted 25 August 2019, Hanimaadhoo, Haa Dhaalu Atoll, Maldives

Weight / Length: 8.1kg / 42.3cm (on admission);

Erica was found close to the local island of Hanimaadhoo (Haa Dhaalu atoll) struggling to swim, and rolling in the waves. She was found with an old amputation of the left front flipper and is suffering from buoyancy syndrome (floating on the ocean surface, unable to dive beneath the waves).

Erica was transferred to our Turtle Centre for rehabilitation. She does not have any recent injuries, so we hope her buoyancy will soon return to normal.

Update 10 June 2020

Sadly, after a short period with loss of appetite, Erica was found unresponsive in her pool today.
A subsequent necropsy revealed a collapsed lung and a severe infection in the intestine.