In November 2021, we welcomed Porites to the Sea turtle care center after she was found apathetic in the Maatea lagoon in Moorea. On examination, a harpoon gun arrow impact had been identified on the neck. Medical treatments were initiated and the respect of a strict rest in the treatment room allowed her to recover quickly and she was able to join the outdoor pools and swim freely.
Unfortunately, a buoyancy issue appeared and Porites had significant difficulty diving.Rehabilitation treatments were immediately put in place: weights between 0.5 kg and 1.5 kg were placed daily on her shell in order to ballast her and help her to dive again. This technique combined with daily exercises carried out by the care center technician and volunteers allowed her little by little to dive back. After 6 months of ballast, Porites is now diving normally and evolving naturally in the release pool.
She should be back in the ocean in the next few weeks.
We will be sure to keep you informed.
Partners: Direction de l’Environnement Polynésie Française, Pacific Beachcomber, Moorea Dolphin Center, Jean-François Clervoy, Vilebrequin, Frank Lehot, Air Tahiti Nui, Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, Les Laboratoires de Biarritz, Nomad Costmetics, IFBD
