Hulk Rescue Turtle

adult male Olive Ridley turtle (RB.LO.195), admitted 23 January 2020, Coco Bodu Hithi, N.Malé Atoll, Maldives

Weight / Length: 36.5kg / 67.1cm (on admission);

 

Hulk was found near Coco Bodu Hithi (North Malé Atoll) by their resident marine biologist, who also kindly sent us these distressing photos of his entanglement and rescue.

Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives
Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives
Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives
Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives
Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives

On arrival at our centre on 23 January, we observed that Hulk suffers from a laceration on his left front flipper and abrasions around the rest of his body, but is otherwise in good health. He is undergoing treatment, and he is already diving in our recovery pool (not suffering from buoyancy syndrome), so we are hopeful of a quick release back into the wild.

Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives
Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives
Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives
Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives

Hulk on our operating table, as we debride his flipper wound (remove dead tissue) [04-Feb-2020]

Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives
Fabia stranded Olive Ridley turtle Maldives

April 2020

Good news! Hulk was successfully released today, from the beach outside our Marine Discovery Centre. He was waved a fond farewell by a small group of enthusiastic guests and staff.

Wishing him a “bon voyage” and a long & healthy life out in the big blue. 💙

Hulk rescue Olive Ridley turtle released Kuda Huraa Maldives