TURTLERESCUE the resort ’ s handymen worked quickly to make a packing case sturdy enough to accommodate Harry for the journey ahead .
He left the island the following morning with a Russian family travelling to Malé Airport , but the odds seemed stacked against him . He was supposed to be heading to the rehab centre by seaplane but the crate was too big , so they put him on a supply boat which broke down on the way to Baa and was further delayed by big seas . Pash and Emma kept a stressful vigil , knowing that every minute would count if Harry was to have a chance . “ He was in a crate for two days with no water or food ,” said Emma . “ For me , that was the most emotional time . We had done everything we could leading up to then , but then he was on his own and we couldn ’ t do anything more for him .”
As highly experienced freedivers , both women have a deep-seated love of marine creatures – they have both swum with turtles , sharks and seals , and there is a well-known , self-filmed video of a grey seal surfacing to kiss Pash at Lundy Island in the Bristol Channel .
Eventually , Harry ’ s boat made it to Baa Atoll and the luxurious backdrop of the Coco Palm resort , where Dr Minnie awaited with her turtle rescue skills . It had been an arduous two-day trip and Harry was showing signs of exhaustion and dehydration , but he was still clinging to life .
Emma and Pash maintained contact with Minnie via WhatsApp , having already followed Harry ’ s tortuous journey across the atolls from their phones . The resilient reptile was given a spa treatment to rival any at the five-star resort , being treated to a ‘ parasite cleanse ’ in fresh water , alongside antibiotic treatment and rehydration therapy . Minnie also took the opportunity to remove some barnacles from his carapace that may have been adding to Harry ’ s distress , carefully placing plasters on the wounded areas .
“ Minnie sent us a video with Harry in his little tank , and that just finished me off emotionally ,” said Emma . “ He already
looked a completely different turtle to what we had found in that rubbish slick .”
What had caused Harry ’ s woes ? As is often the case with animal patients , it ’ s difficult to establish an exact cause . But he has responded well to treatment and is now much stronger than when he first encountered his free-diving saviours . He still has some difficulties with his buoyancy , which suggests that pieces of plastic could still be making their way
Harry in his recovery tank , wounds dressed
Freediver Emma Farrell in action
through his digestive system , and may have to be helped on their way with further ministrations from Dr Minnie .
Certainly , the recuperating Harry owes his life to the determination of three British woman who did their utmost to give something back to the natural world they cherish so dearly .
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