Since the start of the year, over 200 sea turtles were saved by Abu Dhabi Environment Agency (EAD). The Wildlife Rescue Program partner of EAD and the largest aquarium of the Middle East, The National Aquarium of Abu Dhabi, has supported EAD’s efforts.
Ahmed Al Hashmi is the Executive Director, Terrestrial & Marine Biodiversity Sector, EAD. He said that through their strategic partnership with TNA, they were able to rescue and rehabilitate a variety of turtle species to ensure their survival in Abu Dhabi waters. Our specialized research team monitors these turtles on a regular basis, and often studies their behavior and habits.
“As part our efforts, we are pleased to include rehabilitation of an Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. This is a species seldom seen in UAE waters. It is a sign that our biodiversity is abundant, which we aspire conserve so that future generations have it for decades to follow.”
WAM reported that EAD is intensifying its efforts to protect and conserve native wildlife in light of the increasing number turtles still being stranded every year in Abu Dhabi’s waters. They have increased their manpower and invested in state-of the-art facilities. This proactivity reinforces their commitment for providing more efficient rehabilitation for rescued local wildlife with a special emphasis on sea turtles.
Beatriz Maquieira (Curator at TNA) stated: “Sea Turtles are amongst most migratory animal on the planet, and two of seven species of marine turtles inhabit Abu Dhabi’s waters – the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle or the endangered Green Turtle. With more than 5,000 sea turtles in Abu Dhabi, and an increasing number of turtles arriving every year, we want them to be treated with the highest care.
TNA and EAD signed a MoU in 2020 to create the Wildlife Rescue Program. This mission is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing native wildlife from Abu Dhabi. This alignment of objectives has led to the successful rescue, rehabilitation, release and rehabilitation of many species turtles back into Arabian Gulf, including rare Loggerhead turtles. It also helped with the ongoing and successful rehabilitation of their most recent rescue, an Olive Ridley Turtle. This turtle is the second-smallest sea turtle in the world.
TNA and EAD collaborated in 2021 to rescue and rehab 250 sea turtles. 150 turtles were released back into oceans and three were satellite tagged. The current rescue of over 200 turtles, which is the most successful, was completed last summer. They will soon be released into the Arabian Gulf. The National Aquarium will display the rescues one last time before the release begins.
TNA is the Middle East’s largest aquarium and EAD is the Middle East’s largest environmental regulator. It is fitting that these two organizations have teamed up to create the Wildlife Rescue Program, the largest of its kind in the region. Their determination to be the best rehabilitation center for wildlife in Middle East keeps a focus on the sea turtles of Abu Dhabi.
