Atoll Marine Centre was founded in 2012 by the locally run NGO, Naifaru Juvenile. The centre was established in response to the large number of hatchlings being kept as pets on local islands, many of which required proper rehabilitation to have a real chance of survival upon release. Thanks to the outreach carried out by our team, this practice has become much less common, though it sadly remains an ongoing threat to sea turtles.

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Our work has since expanded to rescuing and rehabilitating not only hatchlings, but also juvenile and adult turtles. Mature olive ridleys, often victims of ghost gear entanglement, are the most frequent patients at our centre.

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We collaborate closely with local NGOs, marine biologists, schools, fishermen, and resorts to ensure that Lhaviyani Atoll is thoroughly monitored for turtle strandings. At our centre, injured sea turtles are given the opportunity to recover and, ultimately, return to the ocean where they belong.

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Visitors are always welcome; come meet our turtle patients and our friendly team, who will be more than happy to share their knowledge and answer your questions!