Rehabilitated sea turtles released after being rescued off UAE’s east coast

Fifteen green sea turtles were released off Sharjah’s east coast after being rehabilitated for illness or injury. The Sharjah Strandings Response Programme, run by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, rescued and restored the turtles to health. Tracking devices were attached to the reptiles before their release in the Al Qurm Protected Area.

Fadi Yaghmour, a scientific researcher with EPAA, described the releases as "the best part of the job." He explained that the turtles were injured from boat strikes, entanglement, or disease, and sometimes needed surgery. Most of the turtles were released because they were diseased or exhausted from migration. The turtles underwent rehabilitation at Sharjah Safari Park and were then transferred to Khor Kalba Mangrove nature park for public viewing.

Ten more turtles are in rehabilitation and will be released later. The releases aim to raise awareness about the EPAA center, which opened in 2021. Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy seagrass meadows and supporting biodiversity and food security. The EPAA also rehabilitates hawksbill, olive ridley, and loggerhead turtles.