EGA's Al Taweelah Beach Welcomes 300 New Hawksbill Turtle Hatchlings

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) recently reported that around 300 Hawksbill turtles hatched at their Al Taweelah beach this season. This adds to the approximately 7,500 successful hatchings near their operations since 2011. These critically endangered turtles are the only sea turtles that lay eggs in the UAE.

EGA's Sustainability team diligently monitors the beach throughout the nesting season. They protect nests from predators and debris and rescue any injured or sick turtles. Since the monitoring programme began, 116 nests have been laid on the beach next to EGA’s operations.

This year, four turtles required care and were transferred to the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Centre at Burj Al Arab. Here, they receive expert treatment before being released back into the sea.

Before each nesting season, EGA organises a beach clean-up at Al Taweelah, involving volunteers from across the company. In January, EGA employees participated in this initiative, removing about 1,300 kilogrammes of waste washed up from the sea.

Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, stated, "EGA is committed to operating responsibly, including by protecting wildlife near our operations. We are proud to play a role in the conservation of these magnificent creatures, which are part of the UAE’s natural heritage and biodiversity. Our team works hard to ensure that our beach is a safe and welcoming habitat for the turtles, and we are delighted to see another successful hatching season."

Hawksbill Turtle Lifespan and Reproduction

The average lifespan of a Hawksbill turtle ranges from 30 to 50 years. Females can lay between 100 to 150 eggs during one annual nesting season.

EGA's efforts highlight their commitment to environmental responsibility and wildlife conservation. Their initiatives ensure that Al Taweelah beach remains a safe habitat for these endangered turtles.

With inputs from WAM