A Sea Turtle’s Journey: JOALI BEING Celebrates Kurangi’s Successful Release

Wednesday 6th of November 2024

JOALI BEING, in partnership with the Olive Ridley Project (ORP), proudly announces the release of Kurangi, the first sea turtle patient at its newly established Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. After six months of dedicated care, the juvenile olive ridley turtle was safely returned to the ocean on November 2, 2024, in a special ceremony attended by guests and staff at the island resort.

Kurangi, named after the Dhivehi word for the Lesser Noddy seabird, was discovered in August 2023 in Shaviyani Atoll, entangled in a ghost net. The turtle sustained serious injuries to both front flippers, requiring the amputation of her left flipper. Following her rescue, she was taken to the Olive Ridley Project’s Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll, where she received initial treatment and recovery. Once stable, Kurangi was transferred to the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at JOALI BEING in Raa Atoll, where she continued her healing journey.

Despite a diagnosis of buoyancy syndrome, a condition that affects the turtle's ability to maintain buoyancy, Kurangi responded well to a tailored rehabilitation plan. This plan included Targeted External Weight Therapy and dive training, which were overseen by the centre’s Sea Turtle Biologist and marine biology team. Over the months, Kurangi’s strength grew, and her progress became a source of inspiration for both the JOALI BEING team and the guests who followed her recovery.

The celebration of Kurangi’s successful rehabilitation was a heartwarming event at JOALI BEING, where guests and staff came together to witness her return to the wild. Graeme Freeman, General Manager at JOALI BEING, remarked, “Since the opening of JOALI BEING, we have been deeply committed to conserving and preserving the incredible marine habitats that surround us. The successful release of Kurangi marks a major milestone with the opening of our Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre—a long-standing dream made possible through the dedication of our team and the invaluable support by the Olive Ridley Project. Together, we look forward to advancing our efforts to protect and rehabilitate our local sea turtle population.”

A Shared Commitment to Sea Turtle Conservation

At JOALI BEING, guests are invited to learn about the rehabilitation process through the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre. They can actively contribute to conservation efforts by adopting turtles symbolically, with each adoption including an official certificate and monthly updates on the turtle’s progress.

JOALI BEING is also dedicated to educating local communities in Raa Atoll about sea turtle conservation. The centre regularly hosts educational visits for local residents, including students and government representatives, to raise awareness and foster engagement in protecting these vital marine creatures.

In addition to rehabilitation, the Raa Atoll Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre plays an essential role in advancing research on wild sea turtles. The island is a crucial nesting site for the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle. In collaboration with the Olive Ridley Project, JOALI BEING ensures that nesting sites are protected from disturbance throughout the nesting season. Controlled excavations of nests help researchers determine hatchling survival rates and better understand factors affecting sea turtle reproduction.

The centre also conducts regular surveys of the local sea turtle population using photo identification methods. Each turtle's unique facial pattern, much like a human fingerprint, allows for individual identification. This data is uploaded to a central database, helping researchers track the movements of turtles, monitor population trends, and gain insights into the threats that these magnificent animals face.

Through these ongoing efforts, JOALI BEING and the Olive Ridley Project remain committed to the conservation and protection of sea turtles, ensuring their future in the waters of the Maldives. With Kurangi’s successful rehabilitation and release, the partnership takes a significant step forward in preserving the island’s marine ecosystem for generations to come.