Dubai: Baby loggerhead turtle rescued in rare Arabian Gulf sighting

A baby loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) was rescued by the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) earlier this month — an extremely rare occurrence of a juvenile of this species found inside the Arabian Gulf.

Loggerheads are not known to nest in the Arabian Gulf, and experts believe this finding could indicate previously unknown nesting activity in UAE waters.

The baby turtle, estimated to be around seven to nine months, was found stranded in the Jebel Ali Marine Protected Area. According to local experts and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), loggerheads typically do not inhabit the region, and the last recorded rescue of loggerhead hatchlings in the UAE was in 2016 in Abu Dhabi.

Barbara Lang-Lenton, director of Aquarium at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and head of the DTRP, described the discovery as a “major breakthrough for sea turtle conservation in the region”.

“While we’ve known that adult loggerheads occasionally visit the Arabian Gulf, there has been no recorded evidence of nesting or foraging – until now. Finding a juvenile loggerhead of this size confirms that the species is, in fact, nesting within Gulf waters,” Barbara explained.

She noted that This follows another significant milestone last year when a green turtle nest was discovered in Abu Dhabi for the first time. Barbara also added that although green turtles are abundant in those waters, no green turtle nesting had ever been documented in the emirate before.

“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.”

Rescue and rehabilitation

The rescued turtle is currently receiving treatment at the Jumeirah Burj Al Arab’s Aquarium before being moved to the Turtle Rehabilitation Sanctuary at Jumeirah Al Naseem. Once fully recovered, it will be released back into the sea.

The discovery follows another milestone in 2024, when a green turtle nest was documented in Abu Dhabi for the first time. Experts say these findings highlight the need for expanded research into sea turtle populations and nesting sites in the Gulf.

Since January 1, 2025, the DTRP has rescued 103 turtles, mainly young hawksbills. Turtle rescues are common at this time of the year, because sea turtles, like other reptiles, cannot regulate their body temperature. In the winter months when the water is colder, they are less active, and younger turtles may be prone to sickness. When the sea is rough, they drift to shore and get stranded on the beach.

With winter posing additional risks to sea turtles due to colder waters and rougher seas, the DTRP urges the public to report any stranded or injured turtles by calling its hotline at 800 TURTLE (800 887853).

For any beachgoers who find an injured or stranded sea turtle, the DTRP advises taking the animal out of the water and wrapping it in a wet towel. Any epibiota, barnacles, or oysters growing on the body should not be removed, as doing so could be painful and cause health complications for the turtle.

The DTRP, run in collaboration with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office and the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL), has rehabilitated and released 2,196 turtles, 89 of which are monitored by satellite tracking, since its launch in 2004.

The programme continues to play a crucial role in marine conservation, ensuring that rescued turtles receive the necessary care before returning to their natural habitat.