Rare Olive Ridley turtle nests in Abu Dhabi for the first time

For the first time in Abu Dhabi's history, a rare Olive Ridley turtle nest has been discovered on Saadiyat Island. This significant finding, confirmed through DNA barcoding, offers new insights into the emirate’s marine environment and underscores the importance of ongoing conservation efforts. The nest was laid by a turtle on March 29, 2026, and contained 109 eggs.

Over the subsequent weeks, EAD's turtle patrol volunteers monitored the nest, utilizing a solar-powered camera and collaborating with marine specialists. As the hatching date approached, patrols increased, with volunteers checking the nest both in the morning and at night. On May 25, 2026, the hatchlings emerged, with 40 successfully making their way to the sea, resulting in a hatching success rate of approximately 37 percent.

While this is the first recorded Olive Ridley nest in Abu Dhabi, it highlights that the area's coastline and offshore islands are predominantly known as nesting grounds for Hawksbill turtles. The discovery expands the number of marine turtle species confirmed to have nested in Abu Dhabi to three, now including the Olive Ridley, Green, and Hawksbill turtles.

Olive Ridley turtles, classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, are found in limited nesting locations globally, making each confirmed nest crucial for conservation and research. The successful emergence of these hatchlings demonstrates that the conditions in Abu Dhabi are suitable for the turtles to complete their reproductive cycle, thereby providing valuable information about the health and resilience of the emirate's marine ecosystems and the impact of long-term conservation efforts.