Monday, Jun 10, 2013
Sharjah: -As a part of International World Oceans Day celebrations, a group of rehabilitated hawksbill sea turtles were returned to their natural habitat after being set free into the sea at the Mangrove Natural Reserve in Khor Kalba.
Found by the public, both large and small types of hawksbill sea turtles were placed at the Sharjah Aquarium under a programme that has been protecting them for three years.
Gulf News talked to the organisers of the event, the Sharjah Museum Department (SMD), about the discovery and release of the endangered species. “The sea turtles were found by individuals in deplorable conditions on the shore and taken to the Sharjah Aquarium, where they were treated and rehabilitated,” said a spokesman from SMD.
Marking World Oceans Day, the department explained that the release of the turtles highlights the vital role that the Sharjah Aquarium plays in educating the public about the need to act as protectors of the ocean.
Threatened with extinction, the hawksbill sea turtles are said to be endangered by human fishing practices, coastal development, climate change, egg harvesting at nesting beaches, and pollution. Despite international conventions prohibiting the hunting and trading of sea turtles, hawksbills have suffered an 80 per cent global loss of population in just three generations.
In collaboration with the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, the event was a part of the social responsibility initiative “Because We Care”, which focuses on humanitarian, social and environmental causes.
By Jumana Khamis Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
