Friday, June 10, 2022 – 3:21 p.m.
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ABU DHABI, 10 June / WAM / Under the patronage and presence of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler of the Al Dhafra Region, Chairman of the Board of the Environmental Protection Agency – Abu Dhabi, the Authority launched a group of sea turtles in Saadiyat Beach, which is one of the most important sites for the distribution of sea turtles in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his sons participated in the process of releasing the turtles, which the authorities managed to rehabilitate after rescuing them in the last period. Rehabilitation of the sea turtles in the “National Aquarium”, which provided them with advanced veterinary care , and treated them for the diseases and injuries they suffered from.
During the event, a turtle named “Marawah” was chosen, symbolizing the island of Marawah in Abu Dhabi, and the word “departure” in the local dialect means that a satellite device was installed on its back to track its path, monitor its movements and identify its nesting sites and places of birth.
The data that will be collected will help to strengthen the Authority’s efforts to develop plans and programs that will contribute to the conservation of sea turtles and work to reduce the risks they face.
The Danish Environmental Protection Agency – Abu Dhabi has been working since 1999 to study and preserve sea turtles in the waters of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The results of the surveys showed an improvement in their number and stability in the emirate over the past few years.
There are two main types of sea turtles in Abu Dhabi’s waters, the “hawksbill” turtle and the “green” turtle, and their total number is estimated at about 5,000 turtles.
At least 150 nests are made annually by the sea turtle on the islands’ shores and the main coast of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the most important of which are the islands of Zirku, Jarnin, Dayna and Saadiyat Beach.
In 2020, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency – Abu Dhabi signed a cooperation agreement with The National Aquarium to strengthen efforts to preserve wildlife in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. As a result, the largest center in the region specializing in the rehabilitation of turtles and marine life was launched to treat them and enable them to return to their natural habitats, in addition to expanding the scope of scientific research and research.
During the launch, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan met with Cynthia Hareb, one of the volunteers in the environmental work, and listened to her volunteer role in rescuing turtles, monitoring any nests near their residence on Saadiyat Island and coordinating with specialists in the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.
His Highness appreciated her efforts to raise community members’ awareness of the importance of conserving endangered marine species.
His Excellency Ahmed Matar Al Dhaheri, Director of the Office of His Highness the Ruler’s Representative in the Al Dhafra Region, and Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environmental Protection Agency – Abu Dhabi, participated in the release of turtles.
Wm / Zakaria Mohieldin