Novak Djokovic’s turtle, Leonardo and four other hawksbill turtles released back into Dubai wa
Sick and injured turtles are handed over to the DTRP, at times by ordinary residents, but mostly rescued by the EMEG. DTRP has been running in its current form since 2004 and has so far seen the release of over 550 rescued sea turtles back into Dubai waters. It is run in collaboration with Dubai’s Wildlife Protection Office, with essential veterinary support provided by the Dubai Falcon Hospital and the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory. In 2011 alone over 350 sick or injured sea turtles have been treated by the DTRP after being washed up on the regions beaches. The DTRP is currently the only project of its kind in the Middle East and Red Sea region.