Residents Urged to Help Rescue Stranded Sea Turtles on Dubai Beaches

Dubai's beaches have recently seen a surge in stranded sea turtles due to high winds and cold temperatures, prompting the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) to issue a call for help. Over the last two days, the facility has taken 12 sea turtles into its care and is urging beachgoers to remain vigilant and report any stranded or distressed turtles they come across.

The DTRP, based at Jumeirah Burj Al Arab and Jumeirah Al Naseem, shared that during colder months, sea turtles—being reptiles—struggle to regulate their body temperature. This makes them less active and more susceptible to drifting ashore in rough sea conditions.

Beachgoers are advised to take specific steps if they find a turtle in need of help. These include gently removing the turtle from the water, wrapping it in a wet towel, and avoiding the removal of barnacles or other encrusting creatures from its body to prevent pain or harm. Residents are then encouraged to contact the DTRP hotline at 800TURTLE (800 887853) for further guidance.

Since its launch in 2004, the project has rescued, rehabilitated, and released thousands of turtles back into the ocean.