Louvre Abu Dhabi's turtle rehabiliation lagoon - in pictures

  • Louvre Abu Dhabi has opened a rehabilitation lagoon that will house rescued sea turtles who are almost ready to swim back to the wild. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Louvre Abu Dhabi has opened a rehabilitation lagoon that will house rescued sea turtles who are almost ready to swim back to the wild. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Manuel Rabate, director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, helping to release the turtles into the lagoon
    Manuel Rabate, director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, helping to release the turtles into the lagoon
  • The 10 turtles were transported from The National Aquarium, where they have been undergoing rehabilitation
    The 10 turtles were transported from The National Aquarium, where they have been undergoing rehabilitation
  • More turtles are set to arrive at the Louvre Abu Dhabi lagoon in the coming weeks
    More turtles are set to arrive at the Louvre Abu Dhabi lagoon in the coming weeks
  • One of the turtles was ceremonially named Zaha, after famed Arab architect Zaha Hadid
    One of the turtles was ceremonially named Zaha, after famed Arab architect Zaha Hadid
  • The aquarium will continue to monitor the turtles until they are deemed fit to swim back to the open sea
    The aquarium will continue to monitor the turtles until they are deemed fit to swim back to the open sea
  • Louvre Abu Dhabi's involvement in the wildlife programme effectively creates a new step in the turtles' rehabilitation process
    Louvre Abu Dhabi's involvement in the wildlife programme effectively creates a new step in the turtles' rehabilitation process
  • Turtle rehabilitation is especially a big deal for the UAE, as it is home to five of seven species of marine turtles
    Turtle rehabilitation is especially a big deal for the UAE, as it is home to five of seven species of marine turtles
  • School children attended the ceremony to take part in the turtles' release
    School children attended the ceremony to take part in the turtles' release
  • About 5,000 of these animals reside in Abu Dhabi waters
    About 5,000 of these animals reside in Abu Dhabi waters
  • Before the turtles swim back to the open sea, they are scored by the aquarium based on a number of criteria
    Before the turtles swim back to the open sea, they are scored by the aquarium based on a number of criteria
  • Turtles are among the most migratory animals in the world, and they frequently pass through the Arabian Gulf
    Turtles are among the most migratory animals in the world, and they frequently pass through the Arabian Gulf
  • The Wildlife Rescue Programme, which started in 2020, has released more than 500 rehabilitated sea turtles back into the wild
    The Wildlife Rescue Programme, which started in 2020, has released more than 500 rehabilitated sea turtles back into the wild
  • The Louvre Abu Dhabi set-up will also give a chance for museum-goers to learn more about turtle rehabilitation
    The Louvre Abu Dhabi set-up will also give a chance for museum-goers to learn more about turtle rehabilitation
  • The lagoon can hold up to 50 turtles at once
    The lagoon can hold up to 50 turtles at once

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