Having stabilised the turtle in sheltered water , Emma , 47 , from Bath , ran off to find out what could be done to help the rescued turtle . Resort staff were keen to help but didn ’ t know where to start , as there were no facilities for turtle rehabilitation on the island . What they needed was a specialist vet with facilities to bring back a 27kg male hawksbill turtle from the brink of death . Clearly , they couldn ’ t leave the turtle on his own – he would eventually drown or be picked off by predators . So Pash was left on guard , keeping him stable and fending off various resort guests who regarded the unfolding drama as a photo opportunity . “ I had a Russian guy come up to me with his toddler asking if she could pet the turtle . I had to say ‘ no – it ’ ll bite you ’. I was talking to the turtle and whispering to him – it seems ridiculous , but I was determined to save this turtle . It was so sad to see such a beautiful animal desperately needing help .”
Harry receives treatment from Dr Minnie Liddell
After much hurried research , Emma found the details for Dr Minnie Liddell , a British vet in her twenties who was on a year ’ s placement in Baa Atoll to the north west , working at the Olive Ridley Project Marine Turtle Rescue Centre at Coco Palm resort . This facility accepts turtle patients from all over the Maldives , and can accommodate up to eight animals at a time . Depending on their injuries , the turtles can stay there from a couple of days to several months – a turtle with similar problems stayed there for two years .
Minnie told Emma exactly what to do , but it was clear from the outset that transporting a large turtle across the Maldives at a time of travel restrictions was going to be major challenge . First , they had to recover their hefty patient – by now christened Harry the Hawksbill – from the water and onto the beach via wheelbarrow . He would then have to be wrapped in damp towels and placed in a protective crate for the long journey to Coco Palm , his only hope for survival . Still in their swimming costumes , the two freedivers engaged the services of guests and resort staff to carefully lift Harry from the water , while
22