Abu Dhabi:
Seven-year-old Milena Mofrad was surprised to learn that a little creature like the hawksbill turtle can live up to 50 years.
“It is fascinating to know they can live almost as long as human beings do,” she told Gulf News at an event in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
The event, titled ‘Discover the World of the Turtles’ at Monte-Carlo Beach Club on Saadiyat Island, was organised in cooperation with Tourism Development and Investment Company, an Abu Dhabi Government-owned company.
The programme educated children on the importance of turtles in their local ecosystem.
It is interesting to notice the children living in an urban setting know many things about turtles and the natural environment, Dr Nathalie Staelens, Head of Environmental Services at TDIC, said.
Many children wanted to know why turtles nest on the beach only at night.
Dr Staelens said turtles cannot withstand the hot sand during the daytime.
Akio Shirali, 10, a fifth grader from India who is on a visit to Abu Dhabi, said he wanted to know more about turtles as he had a pet turtle at home, which died recently. “I was very sad and want to do something to conserve sea turtles,” he said.
Dr Staelens showed the children a sick hawksbill turtle that was washed ashore and is being taken care of by TDIC.
A ban on motor boats and jetskis on Saadiyat beaches has helped the turtles, she said.
Turtles get struck by the boats and injured, which may even cause their death.
TDIC is preparing to facilitate the nesting and breeding of hawksbill turtles on the island. The nesting begins in April and May and continues till the end of June, Dr Staelens said.
She said although green turtles are also seen on Saadiyat Island they don’t nest there.
“They travel thousands of kilometres to the Indian Ocean to nest and breed,” she said.
