Green turtles have foraged in the UAE's waters for centuries, but where they went to nest was not known until relatively recently.
The story of how scientists learnt the answer to the mystery is featured in a new documentary made and produced in Abu Dhabi.
Wild Abu Dhabi: The Turtles of Al Dhafra, is Environment Agency Abu Dhabi's fourth documentary and charts its quest to learn more about the marine reptiles.
The documentary, produced using footage filmed over a period of years, follows the team as they monitor the nests and movements of the turtles.
This documentary has allowed us to present some of the key threats facing our turtles ... and demonstrate why as society our behavioural change is necessary
Hind Al Ameri, assistant scientist for marine species at the agency, who features heavily in the film, said the team did not initially set out to produce a documentary.
“The plan was to go out in the field and film parts of what we do so we could post that on social media,” she said.
“Then looking at all the footage we had, we decided, if we put it all together, it could result in a documentary.
“It’s very raw. You can see us being stressed in the field, the humidity, and so on.”
The agency is in talks with various media companies to show it to the public, but no deals have been signed as yet, she said.
There are an estimated 5,500 turtles living in the waters off Abu Dhabi. About 1,500 of these are critically endangered hawksbill turtles.
The agency recorded more than 150 hawksbill nests in the waters off Al Dhafra.
But the behaviour of Abu Dhabi’s green turtles, which make up the majority and forage off Abu Dhabi’s seagrass-rich waters, was more of an enigma.
The documentary follows the team’s attempts to find out more, attaching satellite trackers to turtles of mating age to see where they went.
They revealed the epic 10,000-kilometre journey of two turtles that set off from Bu Tinah.
The turtles swam through the Strait of Hormuz, past Iran and Pakistan, stopped in Oman to nest, then returned following the same route.
“We knew there were a lot of green turtles. And we knew they foraged in the seagrass-rich waters, but we didn’t know where they went to nest,” said Winston Cowie, the agency’s marine policy manager, who directed the video.
“That’s why we put satellite tags on them. We watched them, and watched them, and they went all the way to Oman and back, which was pretty incredible.”
The documentary also focuses on the many threats the creatures face, including plastic, which was found in the vast majority of the stomachs of turtles that washed up dead.
"Despite being a challenging feat, with some parts filmed during the height of summer, the creation of Wild Abu Dhabi: The Turtles of Al Dhafra was an extremely memorable experience and one that has enabled us to present to the public how our team researches the turtles that reside in Abu Dhabi waters," said Shaikha Al Dhaheri, secretary general of the agency.
“This documentary has allowed us to present some of the key threats facing our turtles including the impacts of climate change, single-use plastics and abandoned fishing gear, and demonstrate why as a society our behavioural change is necessary – to give our turtles their best chance of surviving into the future.
“Our work with the turtles and mitigating these challenges is just the beginning of what we plan to do in the future.”
The documentary features Bu Tinah, a tiny cluster of islands in the Marawah marine reserve. It is in one of the most important sanctuaries for turtles in the Indian Ocean region and is under the protection of the UN Environment Programme’s Indian Ocean-South-East Asian Turtle pact.
The archipelago, in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region, is home to coral reefs, dugongs, natural mangroves, dolphins, ospreys and Socotra cormorants.
It narrowly missed out on being named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature after appearing on a shortlist of 28 locations in 2011.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
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- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
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- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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England squad
Joe Root (captain), Alastair Cook, Keaton Jennings, Gary Ballance, Jonny Bairstow (wicketkeeper), Ben Stokes (vice-captain), Moeen Ali, Liam Dawson, Toby Roland-Jones, Stuart Broad, Mark Wood, James Anderson.
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
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MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
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Seven tips from Emirates NBD
1. Never respond to e-mails, calls or messages asking for account, card or internet banking details
2. Never store a card PIN (personal identification number) in your mobile or in your wallet
3. Ensure online shopping websites are secure and verified before providing card details
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
