Dubai’s sea turtle conservation project sees many gains

Dubai’s sea turtle conservation project sees many gains

Dubai: Dubai’s relentless efforts to champion sustainability and a green ethos as part of a new development paradigm have given rise to unique initiatives by organisations across its public and private sectors. One such programme, a dedicated rehabilitation project for sea turtles administered by Dubai’s Jumeirah Group in 2004, is reaping rich dividends today thanks to the conviction of a group of people who truly believe that every little drop in the ocean – and every little being – matters.

For almost two decades, this programme has been instrumental in nursing ailing and injured sea turtles back to health and releasing them into their natural habitats through collaborative efforts with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office, the Dubai Falcon Hospital, and the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory.

Aligned with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s initiatives to protect these creatures that are critical to the local marine ecosystem, the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) also serves to educate the youth, citizens and international hotel guests about sea turtle biology and the state of sea turtle populations locally and internationally.

The project also assists in tracking turtle movements regionally and globally through satellite technology, supporting rehabilitation assessment and research efforts.

To date, the DTRP has safely returned