An endangered turtle which was found seriously injured on the beach of Jebel Ali Marine Life Protected Area has been brought back to health.
The Hawksbill turtle is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources as it is facing extinction.
Veterinarians who treated the turtle couldn't, however, determine her age.
A Dubai Municipality official said: "Workers in the protected area found the turtle last week... she had suffered bruises on the skin and was bleeding."
Reda Salman, Head of Safety and Environment Protection Section at the municipality, added: "From the nature of her injuries, it seems that the turtle rammed into something with heavy edges such as a fishing boat.
"The turtle was tired and sick when it was rescued. The workers presumed she was already dead but when they examined her closely, they discovered that she was still alive. They took her to Al Jadaf Environment Protection Office for treatment."
Salman said that the specialists cleaned a corn barnacle on her shell. "She was hospitalised for few days and when her health improved, we returned her to Jeble Ali protected area."
But even after treatment, the turtle was blind and could not find her way back into the sea.
"She put her head down but could not look straight ahead. Currently she is at the Laboratory of Veterinarian Research Centre in Dubai, where her eyesight is being checked so that she can get back to the waters once more," Salman said.
Shell trade threatens turtles' existence
* The Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) are small to medium sea turtles with an attractively coloured shell of thick overlapping scales, which is the source of the so-called tortoise shells.
* The turtles have a distinct, hawk-like beak, hence the name. Adults range in size between 30-36 inches shell length and weigh 45-90 kg.
* The Hawksbill turtle is a shy tropical reef dwelling species that feeds primarily on sponges. Commercial exploitation is the major cause of the continued decline of the Hawksbill turtle.
* There is a continuing demand for the Hawksbill's shell as well as other products including leather, oil, perfume, and cosmetics. The hawksbill shell commands high prices (currently $255/kg), a major factor that is preventing effective protection.
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