Taking another step towards environment protection, The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) released a batch of sea turtles into the sea after successful rehabilitation.

A total of 150 turtles were released by the Al Hederyat Island that is the first batch of turtles that have been gradually released into key marine areas in Abu Dhabi.

These batch of turtles were rescued by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) last year with the help of the public, sea goers, fishermen, EAD rangers and the strategic partners from the government and private sector and now after a year, the turtles will be back in the wild swimming their way to their natural habitat.

 
The process of releasing was done with the participation of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court, along with His Excellency Dr Mohammad Rashid Ahmad Al Hameli, the Secretary-General of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and His Excellency Ahmed Matar Al Dhaheri, Director of the Ruler's Representative Office in the Al Dhafra Region and Her Excellency, Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD.

As they released the turtles, one of the turtles, lovingly named Al Hudayriat, was affixed with a satellite tracking device on its back in order to observe, track and monitor its feeding and nesting habits.

The data collected will be used to enhance the agency’s marine conservation efforts that would ensure the conservation of sea turtles and mitigate the risks they may face.

The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency has always been committed to protecting endangered species and over the past many years has been conducting research studies to monitor and track sea turtles to protect them. With such continuous efforts, the agency has been maintaining the stability of turtle populations in the Emirate over the past two decades.