Abu Dhabi launches wildlife rescue network to save injured and stranded animals

Abu Dhabi's Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has unveiled the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Response Network, a collaborative effort to swiftly respond to and care for injured or stranded wildlife across the emirate. This network unites government bodies, NGOs, academic institutions, private entities, and community members under a unified structure to foster responsible reporting, prompt intervention, efficient rehabilitation, and the successful release of wildlife back into their natural habitats.

The initiative was unveiled during a Saadiyat Island event, where partners, experts, and community members gathered to discuss the network's objectives and achievements. The network capitalizes on EAD's decade-long experience in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, which initially focused on sea turtles and later expanded to include sea snakes, dugongs, dolphins, and birds, showcasing the agency's dedication to preserving Abu Dhabi's biodiversity.

Maitha Mohamed Al Hameli, Acting Executive Director of EAD's Terrestrial & Marine Biodiversity division, emphasized that the network's creation is a testament to EAD's belief that effective wildlife protection necessitates rapid response, in-depth knowledge, and close cooperation. The network features an integrated digital platform for wildlife rescue operations, case reporting, and management.

When a case is reported by the public or partners, a dedicated field team is dispatched to stabilize the animal, followed by transfer to a rehabilitation center where veterinarians and specialists provide species-specific care. Once the animal is fully recovered, it is released back into its natural habitat, while cases requiring ongoing care continue in extended rehabilitation.

In addition to rescue, rehabilitation, and release efforts, the network serves as a hub for sharing expertise, scientific insights, and coordinating stakeholder efforts. Data collected through documenting rescue cases, monitoring species health, studying animal mortality, and identifying environmental pressures will bolster Abu Dhabi's evidence base for conservation actions and guide targeted, long-term strategies.

EAD and its partners plan to expand the network's capabilities in the future, incorporating real-time tracking technologies, continuous training for rescue teams, and international collaboration to handle complex wildlife emergencies. Public education and citizen engagement will remain vital, reinforcing the community's role as a crucial partner in conservation efforts.

The Abu Dhabi Wildlife Response Network embodies a collaborative and shared responsibility model, underscoring EAD's commitment to a future that prioritizes sustained care for all living beings and the protection of the emirate's biodiversity.