Tuesday 3 April 2012

Meet the Maldives' latest marine researcher - Olivia the turtle

Four Seasons Maldives just sent us a really sweet turtle story. After a year in Landaa Giraavaru’s Turtle Rehabilitation Centre recovering from a nasty head injury, Olivia the Olive Ridley turtle was finally released back into the wild in February 2012, equipped with a satellite-tracking device mounted on her carapace.

She’s loving her second lease of life, having covered a staggering 510 kilometres in her first month alone, and travelled into the middle of the Indian Ocean! The tagging device will enable research into the lesser-known Olive Ridley turtle, some of the world’s smallest sea turtles and one of many species being cared for in Landaa's Turtle Rehabilitation Centre.

Since 2010, the Rehabilitation Centre has nurtured and cared for nine severely injured turtles, seven of which have been successfully released back to the wild. Its current patients include Sally, a young female Olive Ridley found suffering from multiple lacerations and buoyancy problems, and Clover, a young male Olive Ridley with deep lacerations around his neck.

Olivia was the Centre’s longest-staying resident to date. Now – thanks to her tagging device – she’s set to become its most famous! Watch the video of her emotional released here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-V258pQ7ls&feature=youtu.be after 12 months in the centre, then follow her whereabouts via the regularly updated ‘Olivia-link': http://g.co/maps/5z2uy

Currently, there are two other turtles, Sally and Clover, that are being nursed in the Four Seasons' Turtle Rehab Centre, one of which will soon receive a satellite tag, kindly sponsored by one of the resort's guests.



CT