In a powerful show of commitment to marine conservation, Jumeirah released 72 rehabilitated sea turtles into the Arabian Gulf today to mark World Sea Turtle Day.
The event, held in collaboration with community members, guests, and partners, highlights the success of the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP), which has returned over 2,300 turtles to the wild since its inception in 2004.
Among the turtles released was Najeeb, an 80kg male Green turtle rescued with severe injuries in December 2024. Now fully recovered, Najeeb is one of two turtles fitted with a satellite tracker to monitor his journey post-release. Past tracked turtles have travelled as far as nesting sites in Oman, offering valuable insights into migratory patterns.
This year also brought a rare scientific discovery: a Loggerhead hatchling—unprecedented in the Arabian Gulf, where the species is not known to nest. Though not yet released, the turtle’s presence is seen as a breakthrough in understanding regional marine biodiversity.
Parallel events took place at other Jumeirah properties. In Abu Dhabi, 135 turtles were released in partnership with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. In Bali, newly hatched turtles were returned to the ocean alongside educational activities promoting conservation awareness.
Beyond rehabilitation, Jumeirah is scaling up coral restoration efforts at its Turtle Lagoon with over 3,000 coral fragments created and hundreds reintroduced to the sea. The group is also supporting the DUBAI REEF initiative, one of the world’s largest artificial reef projects, aiming to deploy 20,000 modules across 600 square kilometres.
With initiatives extending to resorts in Tanzania and the Maldives, Jumeirah’s marine preservation efforts reflect a broader sustainability strategy focused on protecting ocean life and ecosystems for generations to come.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
