Workers protected the injured turtle from the heat, kept her calm in a box lined with damp towels and remained by her side until wildlife rescue specialists arrived.
An elderly green sea turtle is undergoing specialised treatment at The National Aquarium in Abu Dhabi after construction workers rescued her from shallow waters near Al Reem Island.
The turtle, affectionately named Riviera by the workers who discovered her, was found floating weakly close to the shoreline near the Riviera Residences by Mered construction site.
What began as a routine morning quickly turned into an unexpected wildlife rescue when Sahil, a buggy driver working at the site, and several of his colleagues spotted something unusual in the water.
As they approached, they realised it was a large sea turtle that appeared exhausted and was barely moving.
“It was an ordinary morning by the shoreline at the construction site on Al Reem Island when we noticed something unusual in the shallow water,” Sahil recalled.
“At first, it was difficult to tell what it was, but when we got closer, we realised it was a sea turtle and she was barely moving.”
Injured in a suspected boat collision
The construction workers soon discovered that the turtle was in distress and appeared to have suffered a serious injury.
According to Sahil, her movements were unusual. Instead of swimming normally, she was drifting with the current and struggling to dive beneath the surface.
“When we got closer, we could see a wound on her neck that appeared to have been caused by a boat strike, which the aquarium team later confirmed,” he explained.
“It was difficult to see because these are such strong animals, but at the same time they can be very vulnerable to what happens around them in the water.”
Realising the turtle needed urgent attention, the workers took immediate steps to protect her while arranging professional assistance.
They moved her into a shaded area, kept her calm and contacted the relevant authorities. The team then carefully placed her inside a box lined with damp towels and remained beside her until specialists from The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi arrived.
Handling the large turtle was no easy task.
“She was definitely heavier than I expected,” Sahil recalled. “It took two of us to lift her carefully, supporting her properly and trying to keep her as still and comfortable as possible.”
When the aquarium’s rescue team reached the construction site, the workers transferred the injured turtle into their care so she could receive the necessary medical treatment.
The workers decided to call her Riviera, inspired by the name of the development where she had been discovered.
For those involved in the rescue, the turtle quickly became more than just an injured animal they had helped save.
“For all of us who were there that morning, she became very special very quickly,” Sahil said.
“Finding her so close to us was also a reminder of how much marine life exists along this coastline and how important it is to look out for it.”
Hoping for Riviera’s safe return to the sea
Following the rescue, the construction team has continued to stay in contact with The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi to follow Riviera’s recovery.
The injured turtle is now receiving specialist care, with her rehabilitation expected to require time and close medical attention.
Aquarium experts will assess her progress and determine when she has recovered sufficiently to be safely released back into her natural habitat.
For Sahil and his colleagues, the greatest reward would be seeing Riviera healthy enough to swim freely in the sea once again.
“All of us are hoping she makes a full recovery and that one day we get to see Riviera released back into the water,” Sahil said.
