• Home
• /
• UAE

UAE: First hawksbill turtle nest found at Jebel Ali Wetlands

Dubai - Municipality spots nest with 121 eggs of the endangered species.

The Dubai Municipality has spotted the first endangered hawksbill turtle nest at Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary with 121 eggs.

“As part of Dubai Municipality's efforts to preserve wildlife, the municipality spotted the first endangered hawksbill turtle nest at Jebel Ali Wetland Sanctuary, which holds 121 eggs, marking the start of the nesting season, which runs from March to June,” Dubai Municipality said in a tweet.

The months of March to June are the nesting season for turtles in the UAE.

The UAE is home to two of the seven species of turtles found on the planet – both of which are threatened – the critically endangered Hawksbills, and the endangered giant Green turtles.

According to the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the UAE capital has a stable population of around 5,500 sea turtles, including 1,500 critically endangered Hawksbill turtles, which nest on offshore islands in the waters of Al Dhafra. It also has 3,500 endangered Green turtles, which forage on Abu Dhabi’s seagrass rich waters, including in a core area of the Marawah Protected Area.