Footage shows a sea turtle which has had both of its front flipper amputated after getting stuck in an abandoned fishing net off the coast of the Maldives.
The filmer later wrote online: “This juvenile Olive Ridley was found in a ghost net (abandoned fishing net) with one front flipper missing from a previous entanglement and the front flipper hanging by a tendon.
“Unfortunately the one remaining front flipper was so badly damaged that it had to be amputated to prevent further infection and possible death.”
“The result was a double amputee,” he continued.
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Meet Maggie, a sub-adult honu, who was rescued from Charley Young Beach in Kīhei, Maui on October 7th, 2023. Maggie was found with monofilament fishing line entangled around both front flippers, as well as line ingestion.
The severity of the entanglement on the left front flipper resulted in the need for amputation. Maggie is currently receiving extensive care at MOC Marine Institute which includes nutritional support, daily wound care, injectable antibiotics, therapeutic laser and massage therapy. We are excited to watch Maggie’s journey to recovery!