Poseidon

adult male Olive Ridley turtle, admitted 18 August 2026, Maldives

Poseidon, the newest member of our rehabilitation family, arrived at our Sea Turtle Rescue Centre at Kuda Huraa (Maldives) on 18 August. This adult male Olive Ridley was admitted with both left flippers amputated and exhibiting buoyancy syndrome. Although turtles with double amputations are normally considered non-releasable, we are cautiously optimistic in this case. While the left front flipper is completely missing, the left rear flipper retains some length and functionality, which may give him a better chance of adapting to life in the wild.

Fortunately, Poseidon arrived in relatively good condition, with his wounds almost completely healed, along with mild dehydration and hypoglycaemia. The advanced stage of healing suggests that he may have been surviving in the wild for several months despite his condition, as amputation wounds in sea turtles can take 4-6 months to heal. His main challenge now is overcoming the buoyancy syndrome that led to his admission. Once this is under control, we will be able to properly assess his swimming ability and determine whether he could potentially become a candidate for release.