Sharjah Aquarium Released Rehabilitated Turtles

Yesterday on World Turtles Day, Sharjah Aquarium released five endangered native turtles back to their habitat. There can not be more opt celebration of World Turtles Day! These turtles were spotted and rescued by the public on the beach or in the sea by fishermen in injured condition during last year and given to Sharjah Aquarium.

Sharjah Aquarium then with help of their in-house marine biologist and Turtle Specialists rehabilitated these injured adults and juvenile four of Hawksbill Turtles and one Green Turtle. As part of their ‘Because We Care’ social responsibility initiative they are reaching out public and spreading awareness about marine turtles. On occasion of World Turtle Day, these turtles were released back to their habitat at Al Hamriya Beach in Sharjah yesterday. Rashid Al Shamsi, Curator at Sharjah Museum informed the reason they selected the site, as there is a seawall built in the sea near the beach. There is growing organism on the bottom of this seawall, which will provide food to these just turtles for the start.

Click to watch the video Interview with Rashid Al Shamsi, Curator at Sharjah Museum

The Sharjah Aquarium has been running a rehabilitation programme for past six years to rescue and care for sick and injured turtles and release them back into the wild. In future, they are planning to tag these kinds of rehabilitated turtles and track them. They are also working on collaborating with EWS-WWF to initiate more conservation programs.

Many delegates from government departments were present to witness and take part in turtle release. Director General of Sharjah Museums Department, Manal Ataya at the event said, ‘Sharjah  Aquarium is playing a vital role in educating the public about the need to act as custodians of the ocean’

Mariam Saeed Hareb, assistant under-secretary at The Water Resource and Nature Conservation Affairs Department in Ministry of Environment and Water was also present during the event. While having a small chat, she mentioned public can also share their innovative ideas with Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to help the government to act against environmental issues and if the idea is implemented they can get awarded.

How Turtles Get Injuries?

Do you know, how the turtles are injured in the first place? The biggest reason for injury in turtles is hit by a boat propeller, ingesting plastic bags and trapped in old-style fishing nets.

Plastic pollution is a big threat to marine life. Specially Hawksbill turtle many times ingest plastic bags in the sea as they appear like jellyfish to them. This is one important point, we need to note as this kind of threat is directly created by us. We can stop using plastic bags altogether as there are many sustainable reusable bag options available to us.

Some fishermen are still using age-old fishing nets, in which turtles are getting trapped. It’s a need that fishermen should change to newer and safer tools.

Turtles can get seriously injured or even killed when they hit by boat propellers. Where ever possible propeller guards must be used to avoid these kinds of accidents.

Watch this video of Turtle crawling back to their home! It was delightful to watch them getting vanished in the sea to never return back may be!

At the end some interesting facts about these endangered native sea turtles!

Hawksbill turtles are smaller in size and are considered one of the most beautiful turtles for their colorful shells. The male hawksbill turtle or hatchling once leave the land after hatching from eggs generally never return to land and spends it’s a lifetime in the sea. Whereas Green turtle is one of the largest sea turtles. They are known as green turtles, not because of the color of their shell but the greenish color of their cartilage and fat. They can hold their breath undersea up to 5 hours as they are cold blooded.

Head to Green Living In Dubai’s YouTube channel to watch more videos of yesterday’s turtle release by clicking here.

‘World Turtle Day’ Must Wear!

Our little artist painted turtle and left his imprint! (He loves messy play)