Dubai: 1,600 turtles rehabilitated so far by Turtle Project
Earth has suffered five mass extinctions, the last one being approximately 65 million years ago. It wiped out the dinosaurs, along with 60% of species that populated the planet. These five extinctions have one thing in common - they were all caused by natural phenomena; a stellar explosion, tectonic plate movement or meteor showers. Our planet is now facing the sixth mass extinction. However, this one is different from the rest. For the first time in history, human activity is to blame.
Our oceans are taking the brunt of the turmoil. We are facing sea temperature increases, pollution, over-fishing and bycatch deaths, just to name a few. One of the hardest hit species of all are Turtles. A species that swam the seas 96 million years before humans walked the earth could be wiped out within 10 years.
All seven species of marine turtle are listed as vulnerable to extinction, endangered or critically endangered. The Hawksbill turtle, native to the Middle East, is listed as critically endangered with only an estimated 8,000 nesting females left worldwide. The Hawksbill Turtle has lost 90% of its population, 80% of which has been lost in the past 10 years.
Started by Jumeirah in 2004, The Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) is dedicated to the conservation of these precious marine creatures. It’s run in collaboration with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office and is currently the only project of its kind in the Middle East and Red Sea Region. Since the project began, it has seen the release of over 1,600 rehabilitated turtles back into their natural habitat. After initial treatment at Burj Al Arab Jumeirah’s Aquarium, they are brought to health at the Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary at Jumeirah Al Naseem, where you can see them in the lagoon as they recover before being released. Some turtles have been fitted with satellite tags, allowing the team to track them and learn more about these endangered animals.
Entrance to the Turtle Lagoon is completely free, open every day to the public and does not require bookings, just a will to learn about saving our seas and the incredible animals that call it home.
