Three hundred turtles hatch at al-Taweelah beach in Abu Dhabi

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) announced that 300 Hawksbill turtles have hatched at al-Taweelah beach this season, adding to approximately 7,500 successful hatchings near the company’s operations since 2011. 

The critically endangered turtles are the only sea turtles that lay their eggs in the UAE. EGA’s sustainability team monitor the beach throughout the nesting season, protect the nests from predators and debris, and rescue any injured or sick turtles.

116 nests have been laid on the beach next to EGA’s operations since the monitoring programme began.

This year, four turtles were found in need of care and were transferred to the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at the Burj Al Arab, where they now receive expert treatment before being released back into the sea.

Before the nesting season, EGA brings together volunteers from across the company for a beach clean-up at Al Taweelah. In January, EGA employees volunteered in the clean-up and removed 1,300 kg of waste washed up from the sea.

The average hawksbill lifespan ranges from 30 to 50 years, with females capable of laying 100 to 150 eggs in one annual nesting season.