Heroes in a half shell
Turtle Power!
By Emma Jayne Morgan
Why not explore one of the most exciting ocean animals for World
Ocean Day this month. Start off by reading Into the Sea by Brenda
Guiberson. This book is beautifully illustrated and explains the
lifecycle of turtles, including the perils they face.
This could be followed up with discussions about the importance
of recycling to avoid turtles eating or becoming tangled in plastic
in the ocean. We are even lucky enough to have our very own
turtle rehabilitation centre here in Dubai which you could encour
age children to visit with their parents or organize a field trip there.
The very sick turtles are looked after at the Dubai Wildlife Protection Office or the aquarium at the Burj Al
Arab. Once well enough they are transferred to the turtle rehabilitation sanctuary at Jumeirah Al Naseem
which is open to the public every day and holds feeding session once a week.
The main goals of the project are:
• to rescue, rehabilitate and release back into the wild any sea turtles that are found sick or
injured throughout the region.
• to educate children and adults about sea turtle biology and the local and global plight of the
sea turtle and to understand the success of rehabilitation.
• to research turtle movements throughout the region and beyond via a satellite tracking
initiative.