On September 14, 2024, the Noonu Atoll Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre welcomed its first patient Nakaiy, an adult female olive ridley sea turtle, who was found entangled in a ghost net in the Lhaviyani Atoll. She suffered injuries to her neck, mouth and left front flipper, causing a significant loss of mobility. Since her rescue, Nakaiy has undergone a comprehensive medical regimen and is making remarkable progress in her recovery. However, she still suffers from a buoyancy disorder and continues to undergo tailored dive training at Soneva Jani. Nakaiy currently receives Targeted External Weight Therapy (TEWT) with submersible buoy feeding sessions to promote natural diving behaviours.
Collaborating with ORP since 2017, Soneva Jani recently welcomed Neus Segura as the new Sea Turtle Biologist, along with Maldivian intern Nawha Ibrahim, to manage the centre with direct and daily supervision from the ORP Veterinary Team – the largest and most experienced in the Maldives. Additionally, Neus and Nawha are on hand to help remove ghost nets from the ocean, assist in the rescue of injured sea turtles, monitor nesting activity and contribute valuable sea turtle Photo–IDs to build a database of sea turtles in the Noonu Atoll.
Continuing to inspire a lifetime of rare experiences, guests at Soneva Jani are invited to learn about conservation efforts and the turtle rehabilitation process with guided tours of the centre, where they will be introduced to the resident sea turtle patients – including Nakaiy – and hear their unique recovery stories. Expert–led discussions with Neus and Nawha offer behind–the–scenes insights into the threats that sea turtles face and the daily care provided at the centre. These educational experiences provide a platform for guests to engage with local marine conservation efforts, promoting greater awareness for sea turtle conservation and an understanding of the crucial role of rescue and rehabilitation centres around the world.
Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a charity founded in 2013 registered in England & Wales, Maldives and Kenya, is on a mission to protect sea turtles and their habitats through rescue and conservation medicine, scientific research and education and outreach.
