A dedicated center for treating sea turtles was opened May 10 at Jawakara Islands Maldives, a resort operated by Crown & Champa in Lhaviyani Atoll.
The "Turtle Health Institute," established in collaboration between the resort and the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), a private NGO working for the conservation of sea turtles, was inaugurated by Sarah Moosa, the Managing Director of Crown & Champa Resorts.
The ceremony was attended by the CEO of Champa Resorts, Mohamed Solah, Chief Executive of the Environmental Regulatory Authority (ERA), Hassan Mohamed, and senior officials from the Olive Ridley Project.
CEO Solah stated that this treatment center for turtles will be one of the most complete and modern facilities in terms of resources in this region. He further noted that: "This is a center that will play a major role in treating injuries sustained by sea turtles and returning them back to their environment in good health."
The center can treat seven turtles at a time. Currently, seven turtles are undergoing treatment at the facility. These include turtles found entangled in nets and those brought in with various injuries, such as severed flippers. Following treatment, two turtles that have recovered have already been released back into the ocean.
It is common for sea turtles to become entangled in ghost nets and debris discarded in the ocean, leading to limb injuries. The primary objective of this center is to bring in such turtles, provide medical care, and release them back to their natural habitat once they have recovered.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU): This is the first dedicated ICU for sea turtles established in the Indian Ocean region. It allows for high-quality care for turtles in critical condition.
- Rehabilitation Tanks: The facility features large circular tanks where turtles are kept until they recover. These are designed to ensure no injury to the turtle's body. There are currently seven tanks available, one for each turtle.
- Diagnostic Lab: The center includes an operating room and the latest medical diagnostic equipment, including an X-ray room.
The institute also conducts Veterinary Nurse courses in collaboration with the Maldives National University (MNU).
This "Turtle Health Institute" is part of the large Marine Research Center opened at Jawakara last year. The Marine Research Center also houses a coral propagation lab and educational classrooms. To mark the opening of that center last year, the "Atoll Maldives Workshop" conference was held in collaboration with the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and the US EPA.
