"The annual return of turtles to a permanent nesting place is proof of the success of our program, which was created in order to ensure their breeding, despite the proximity of large hotels. It showed that the tourist infrastructure can develop without harming nature," said His Excellency Mubarak Al Muairi, Director General of the Committee on Tourism and Culture of Abu Dhabi.
Each year, nine kilometers of Saadiyat Beach become a haven for breeding bisse turtles, whose population is on the verge of extinction. Over the past hundred years, their number in the world has decreased by 80%. As part of the program, which is implemented by the authorities of the capital of the UAE, a 60-meter conservation area has been created where construction and visiting by tourists is prohibited. Since the beginning of 2010, about 650 small turtles have hatched in these dunes. "We believe that the conservation of wildlife on Saadiyat Island is entirely in our hands. Abu Dhabi makes a significant contribution to the program of preserving the environment and improving the ecological situation and quality of life for both the population and tourists," Al said Muairi.
