From Rescue to Release: Nurturing Turtles in Dubai's Aquatic Haven

For nearly two decades, the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) has been instrumental in releasing over 2,000 rehabilitated turtles back into their natural habitats.

All seven species of marine turtles are currently facing the threat of extinction, with some being labeled as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. Among them, the Hawksbill turtle, native to the Middle East, is critically endangered, with only around 8,000 nesting females remaining worldwide.

Beginning with initial treatment at the Burj Al Arab's Aquarium, these turtles receive dedicated care at the Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary located in Jumeirah Al Naseem. Here, visitors can witness their recovery in the lagoon and even participate in feeding them before their eventual release.

DTRP is dedicated to the conservation of these precious marine creatures. It’s run in collaboration with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office, with veterinary support provided by the Dubai Falcon Clinic and post-mortem and laboratory analysis provided by CVRL (Central Veterinary Research Laboratory). It is the first project of its kind in the region.

The Goals of the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project

– Understand the success of rehabilitation and to research turtle movements throughout the region and beyond via a satellite tracking initiative.

– Educate local children, citizens and international hotel guests about sea turtle biology and the local and global plight of the sea turtles.

– Rescue, rehabilitate and release back into the wild sea turtles found sick or injured in the region.  

Nurture the Turtles

When a sick, distressed, or injured sea turtles are discovered by members of the public, they are brought to the Aquarium team at Burj Al Arab, who closely monitor their recovery.

Throughout this process, the turtles receive thorough examinations, ongoing monitoring, and necessary medical treatments or surgeries. Once the rehabilitation team is satisfied with the progress and condition of the turtles, they are transferred to the state-of-the-art Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary at Jumeirah Al Naseem.

The sanctuary's sea-fed lagoon provides an ideal environment for closely monitoring the final stages of rehabilitation before the turtles are reintroduced to the waters of the United Arab Emirates. The injuries of these turtles may stem from boat collisions, entanglement, or the ingestion of plastic waste discarded into the sea. Additionally, some turtles may be brought in due to illness, often exhibiting abnormal barnacle growth on their shells.

During the colder months from January to April, the sanctuary predominantly receives young hawksbill turtles, as they are particularly susceptible to adverse sea conditions in the region.

We invite you to visit the Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary at Jumeirah Al Naseem, where you can witness the recovery process and actively participate in feeding the turtles. Daily feeding sessions take place at 11:00, and you can find more information on our Facebook page by clicking here