Five green sea turtles discovered upturned at the uninhabited island, Athahendha, located south of L. Kunahandhoo, have been rescued.
The turtles were rescued through a collaborative effort of Maldives Police Service, the marine biology team at Six Senses Laamu Resort, Maldives Underwater Initiative (MUI), and the non-profit organization focused on rescuing turtles, Olive Ridley Project.
Olive Ridley Project said that the five turtles were discovered by a group of tourists who went on a picnic to the uninhabited island. Citing the tourists, the non-profit organization detailed that the turtles were found a little distance from the beach, hidden within palm trees.
 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by The Olive Ridley Project (@oliveridleyproject)
They also stressed that at the time of discovery, the turtles were immobilized and unnaturally rolled over on their backs. Moreover, all the turtles had minor injuries – fish hook wounds to their neck, minor scrapes on their shell, and swelling of an eye.
The turtles were released back to the sea in a successful rescue operation carried out last Sunday.
Capturing and harming turtles and tortoises is an offense under the Environment Protection Act.
Individuals caught harming a turtle or a tortoise will receive a fine of MVR 20,000. Should an individual be caught harming more than one turtle or tortoise, they will receive a fine of MVR 25,000 per each additional turtle or tortoise.