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Jumeirah marked World Sea Turtle Day yesterday, 16th June, through the release of 72 rehabilitated sea turtles back into their natural habitat.
In the company of guests, partners, and community members, Jumeirah officials brought a bevy of both hawksbill and green turtles back to the sea.
The event was also a milestone for the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) which has already returned more than 2,300 turtles to the wild since it was established in 2024.
To further celebrate World Sea Turtle Day, a variety of conservation-focused activities took place across Jumeirah’s portfolio.
In Abu Dhabi, Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, in partnership with the Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi (EAD), hosted an intimate release of 135 sea turtles on its pristine beachfront.
Meanwhile, guests at Jumeirah Bali witnessed the release of newly hatched turtles into their natural habitat, as part of a long-standing collaboration with Eco Tourism Bali.
The event also featured an engaging educational programme on sea turtle conservation and the importance of protecting marine biodiversity by fostering greater awareness of ocean health and encouraging responsible travel.
Significant milestones
Barbara Lang-Lenton, director of the aquarium at the Jumeirah Burj al-Arab and lead for the DTRP said that the event was a remarkable moment for the team and a meaningful step forward in boosting the world’s understanding of sea turtles in the Gulf.
According to Lang-Lenton: “Sea turtles have remarkably complex biology, and there is still much to uncover about their behaviours, migration patterns, and nesting habits in this region. Each new finding, like this one, helps us piece together a more complete picture of their presence and life cycles in the Gulf, guiding future conservation efforts.”
Among those released was Najeeb, an 80kg male green turtle rescued in December of last year, whose name means noble and generous in Arabic.
Nursed back to health after he was found with extensive injuries, Najeeb was one of two turtles fitted with a satellite tracker, allowing the DTRP team to monitor his journey after release.
The last time the team released a male green turtle of similar size, it travelled all the way to nesting sites in Oman.
Najeeb is one of many turtles nursed back to health by the dedicated team at the DTRP, based at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Al Naseem.
Each release marks a meaningful step forward in the ongoing mission to protect marine life and preserve biodiversity in the Arabian Gulf.
Saving a rare find
This year, the DTRP also reached a significant conservation milestone with the rare rescue of a baby Loggerhead turtle, a species not known to nest in the Arabian Gulf.
Found in early 2025, this tiny turtle represents an important finding in marine science for the region.
According to experts from the IUCN and regional organisations, there are no previous records of Loggerhead turtles nesting inside the Gulf.
Although the Loggerhead baby was not part of today’s release, it is expected to return to the wild in the coming months.
This discovery follows another milestone in 2024, when a green turtle nest was recorded in Abu Dhabi for the first time, underscoring the growing importance of the region in global marine conservation efforts.
Beyond turtle conservation
Beyond turtle rehabilitation, Jumeirah has been expanding its marine conservation initiatives through coral restoration efforts, one of several projects under the ‘Planet’ pillar of its sustainability strategy.
A new coral nursery at the Turtle Lagoon in Jumeirah Al Naseem is now visible to guests and incorporated into daily educational experiences.
In collaboration with ecosystem restoration specialists Ocean Revive, the team is researching and testing new technologies to grow and reintroduce corals into the sea.
So far over 1,400 fragments have been created, with over 300 already translocated to the sea.
In addition, Jumeirah continues to support DUBAI REEF, a pioneering purpose-built reef development and one of the largest in the world which aims to increase marine biodiversity and protect the emirate’s coastal ecosystems.
Reflecting Dubai’s commitment to marine conservation, the three-year initiative will see over 20,000 reef modules deployed across 600 square kilometres to restore marine habitats and support the growth of indigenous corals, thereby enhancing marine life.
As part of this initiative, Jumeirah is contributing through coral fragmentation work at the turtle lagoon at Jumeirah Al Naseem, where small coral fragments are attached to circular discs, often called “coral cookies”, providing a stable base for growth and easy handling.
The post Jumeirah marks World Sea Turtle Day by releasing turtles back to their natural habitat appeared first on Travel Daily Media.
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