What inspired you to specialise as a sea turtle biologist?

I became fascinated with sea turtles when I did a season working in Northern Cyprus for a sea turtle conservation project. I loved the long nights monitoring and protecting females laying their nests and then the hot days digging up hatched nests to collect conservation research. I helped rehabilitate a turtle with a cracked skull, which made this job more intriguing as it focuses on the rehabilitation of injured sea turtles.

Can you tell us more about your role?

My role as a sea turtle biologist and guest educator for the Olive Ridley Project involves managing the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at One&Only Reethi Rah, conducting population research through a photo ID database and monitoring the nesting females on the island. I also take guests on trips and educate them about sea turtle conservation.

What’s special about the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre?

The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at One&Only Reethi Rah was the first Olive Ridley Project Rehabilitation Centre to open, supporting the work of the vet-run Marine Turtle Rescue Centre in Baa Atoll. It is where many sea turtles spend the last few months of their recovery before they head out into the open ocean again. It also houses injured turtles found in North Malé temporarily before they are flown to the Rescue Centre. Amazingly, it was funded directly by One&Only staff!

PROTECTING OUR SEAS