The Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi (EAD), released on World Sea Turtle Day, rescued turtles and are now using satellite tracking devices to track them.
The tracking devices will help EAD monitor their progress and collect data about their lifestyles and migration paths.
A Loggerhead turtle, a Hawksbill turtle and a Green Sea turtle were fitted with tracking devices on their shells.
The turtles were rehabilitated at the National Aquarium and were then released at the beach at Saadiyat Rotana Resort and Villas, so they could return to their natural habitats.
The turtles required rehabilitation as some had severe barnacle infestations on their shells, which causes slow movement, malnutrition and dehydration, after entering a state of hibernation during the winter period, with some affected by getting caught on fishing nets, which is the main threat faced by turtles, along with boat collisions.
Over 250 turtles were taken care of at the National Aquarium.
Abu Dhabi is home to over 5,000 sea turtles, including Green Sea turtles and Hawksbill turtles.
Fouad Mashal, Chief Executove Officer of The National Aquarium said, “We are immensely proud of our collaboration with EAD to help the Emirate of Abu Dhabi preserve its natural treasures. Sea turtles are an essential part of our ecosystem but are also an endangered species. As a result, successfully rehabilitating a large number of turtles is a critical component in our mission to sustain and conserve the species.”