The Olive Ridley Project is a UK-based charity founded in 2013, whose mission is to remove discarded fishing nets- known as ghost nets- from the ocean; rescue and rehabilitate sea turtles injured by these nets; reuse and reduce marine debris; and educate the world about the dangers of ghost nets and the perilous situation of sea turtles.
The project is named after the Olive Ridley species of sea turtle, which is by far the most frequent victim of these ghost nets. In January 2015, Coco Collection announced our official partnership with the Olive Ridley Project to setup turtle rescue centres and to work together to reduce the effect of ghost nets on marine life.
In February 2017, we opened the first of these Marine Turtle Rescue Centres at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, fully equipped to care for the turtles that we find around the country with severe injuries to their flippers and necks after being entangled in ghost gear.
Marine Turtle Rescue Centre
The Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu is the first and only veterinarian-led turtle rescue centre in the Maldives. Fully-equipped with a laboratory and surgical facilities, the centre has 7 tanks which can accommodate up to 8 turtle patients at a time.
Our resident turtle veterinarian and a team of interns and volunteers for the Olive Ridley Project take care of our turtle patients. Injured turtles may require stitches, or sometimes surgery.
Unfortunately, flipper amputations are also common due to the severe lacerations caused by ghost nets. Other times, proper nourishment, buoyancy treatment, dive training or a course of antibiotics is enough for the turtle to recover and be released back into the wild.
Our veterinarian also works closely with the local school at Hithadhoo in Baa Atoll. Our Turtle Vet teaches at the school and welcomes school children at the Rescue Centre.
During visits to the Rescue Centre, the school children interact with the turtle patients and help feed them. They also learn about treatment of the various injuries sustained by the turtles, as well as basic veterinary medicine.
Additionally, we offer internships for Maldivian nationals at the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre. The purpose of the internship program is to strengthen the local capacity to care for and conserve the turtle population. It teaches marine turtle biology, care, and conservation, as well as veterinarian skills.
Donate Now
