Shaarudah

large adult female Olive Ridley turtle (RB.LO.135), 11 July 2018, Maafushivaru, S.Ari Atoll, Maldives

Weight / Length: 33.0kg / 69.0cm (upon admission);

Shaarudah was found floating around Maafushivaru, in South Ari Atoll. She had likely been trapped in a ghost net for many days, and was already missing a front left flipper and back right flipper (which are almost healed). The net has left her with some minor injuries on her carapace. Although she has two flippers missing, they are on opposite sides, which means that once she is able to dive again she will be able to be released!
With her weight approaching 35kg, Shaaru is giving us a good workout every time we have to lift her out of the pool to clean her wounds!

Shaarudah hasn’t been eating fish so she has been losing weight. During this time, she was given fluids every other day, as well as a calcium injection. More recently, she has finally started to eat prawns and now her weight has stabilised.

20 September – Shaaru and Juanita were transferred to the Olive Ridley Project centre for specialised veterinary care. Shaaru had surgery to insert a feeding tube, and needs assistance to breathe.

24 September – sadly, Shaaru died this morning of suspected pneumonia.