In partnership with the Olive Ridley Project, JOALI BEING is welcoming the new Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre in Raa Atoll. This new centre is set to be located on the island itself.
Throughout the years, JOALI BEING has created several initiatives and partnerships to maintain the preservation of the island. With this, preservation and sustainability have always been at the core of JOALI BEING. In November 2023, JOALI BEING and the Olive Ridley Project officially joined forces. Together, the partnership was created, aimed at safeguarding the vulnerable sea turtle population in Raa Atoll. This collaboration involved:
- Advancing sea turtle research within the atoll
- Conducting educational outreach tailored for both international tourists as well as local communities
- The establishment of a dedicated rehabilitation facility on the island. This was done in order to care for sick and injured sea turtles.
JOALI BEING and the Olive Ridley Project Welcomes First Turtle Patient!
The partnership just welcomed the first turtle patient at the new rehabilitation centre, named Kurangi. Kurangi is a juvenile Olive Ridley turtle that was found entangled in a ghost net in Shaviyani Atoll back in 2023. After she was discovered, Kurangi was admitted to the Olive Ridley Turtle’s Marine Turtle Rescue Centre. Kurangi made a remarkable recovery over the past eight months with special care from the Olive Ridley team. She is currently still undergoing rehabilitation to address ongoing challenges due to buoyancy disorder.
About the Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre
The new Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at JOALI BEING is used for the rehabilitation of long-term sea turtle patients. The centre is especially aimed at sea turtles who do not need the intensive veterinary care received at the rescue centre. Sea turtle patients will be transferred here from the Olive Ridley Project’s Marine Turtle Rescue Centre when they are nearing their release back to the ocean after treatment. Sea turtle patients will continue to get treatment here from the resident Sea Turtle Biologist Mohamed Shah. This will also be done under the direct supervision of the Olive Ridley Project’s veterinary team.
Patients admitted to the Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre will receive treatments such as:
- Targeted External Weight Therapy (TEWT)
- Dive conditioning and supervised exposure to enrichment devices
Guests at JOALI BEING will also have the opportunity to visit the rehabilitation centre. Here, guests can not only learn about the in-house patients but also contribute to the centre by symbolically adopting turtles.
