The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi in partnership with The National Aquarium, released 250 rehabilitated turtles back into the Arabian Gulf on June 13, 2022 via the beach at Saadiyat Rotana Resort & Villas. The release comes as part of continued work to preserve sea turtle populations in the Emirate.

The turtles were successfully rehabilitated after being discovered and rescued last year with the help of the public, sea-goers, fishermen, EAD rangers, and several other partners. A satellite tracking device was fixed on some turtles to track its path, monitor its movements, and identify its nesting sites and feeding areas. The collated data will enhance the efforts to develop plans and programs that will contribute to sea turtle conservation, while reducing and mitigating the risks they encounter.

While Saadiyat Island is home to both Green turtles and Hawksbills, only the latter nest on the island. In Abu Dhabi, the nesting season runs from around March to June where females return to the beach where they were born to lay their own nests. The Hawksbill turtles, which are critically endangered have an average lifespan of 30 to 50 years and females can lay between 100 to 150 eggs during a season.