Sea turtles released into Abu Dhabi's waters after successful rehabilitation

One of the turtles was fitted with a satellite tracking device

• 

  A batch of sea turtles was released into the ocean by The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi on Al Hudayriat island. All photos courtesy Ministry of Presidential Affairs

• 

  The turtles were released into the sea on Al Hudayriat Island.

• 

  Members of The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi helped rehabilitate the turtles before they were set free.

• 

  EAD has been conducting research studies into sea turtles since 1999.

• 

  During the release, one of the turtles was fitted with a satellite tracking device to allow marine specialists to monitor its feeding and nesting habits.

• 

  In Abu Dhabi there are two types of sea turtles, the Hawksbill turtle and the green turtle, with a population of about 5,000 turtles.

• 

  Sea turtles can live to 100 years old, are long-distance travellers and many of the world’s species call the UAE their home.

• 

  Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, takes part in the turtle release. Nearly all seven species of sea turtle are classified as endangered and that is mostly a result of human activity.

• 

  Sheikha Ousha bint Shakhbout releases reptiles that were rescued last year and treated for injuries and marine diseases.

• 

  Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, and Sheikha Salama bint Theyab look on as Sheikh Zayed bin Theyab releases a turtle. The data collected from the GPS tracking device will be used to improve the agency’s efforts towards marine life conservation and mitigate any risks they may face.

A batch of sea turtles rescued by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) last year has been released back into the wild.

The turtles entered the sea on Al Hudayriat Island and were the first group of more than 150 sea turtles that will gradually be set free into suitable marine areas in the capital, Abu Dhabi Media Office reported on Saturday.

During the release, one of the turtles, affectionately named Al Hudayriat, was fitted with a satellite tracking device so marine specialists could monitor its feeding and nesting habits.

The data collected will be used to enhance the agency’s marine conservation efforts and mitigate any risk they may face.

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, chairman of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, helped during the release.

The sea turtles were successfully rehabilitated at The National Aquarium after being rescued with the help of the public, fishermen and officials from the environment agency.

Vets took good care of the hard-shelled reptiles and treated them for infections, injuries and common marine diseases.

As part of its commitment towards protecting endangered species, EAD has been conducting research studies into sea turtles since 1999.

In Abu Dhabi has about 5,000 sea turtles in total.

The emirate has two types – the hawksbill turtle and the green turtle.