On June 12 the WWF and Emirates Wildlife Society kicked off nature’s own F1; the Great Gulf Turtle Race. One particularly brave and bodacious turtle, named Tootsie, has since swam 485km (we know this because we receive weekly progress updates from her) and is destined to win the race and then take over the world. Tootsie’s minions at TOAD are therefore putting out a shamelessly self-promoting invitation to readers: join us in cheering for Time Out’s very own turtle at www.gulfturtles.com/race. If you do, you will also receive weekly updates on Tootsie’s progress and help us make her the world’s most popular hawksbill!
With all joking aside, the Great Gulf Turtle Race, part of the Marine Turtle Conservation Project, is sponsored by various UAE corporate do-gooders who all deserve a big thank you for their efforts. With their help, the project is able to follow 28 radio-fitted, female hawksbills, of which Tootsie is one. The aim is to find out more about the hawksbill’s haunts and habits, which will guide decision-makers to develop effective strategies for protecting the turtles.
But amidst all the fun we’ve been having over the race lately, we’ve also learnt a great deal about these fantastic animals. The project has turned into an awareness raising initiative, with so many people coming on board to provide sponsorship and support. Here are some of our favourite Abu Dhabi turtle-heroes who are running great initiatives associated with the project. So get involved, make a difference and maybe even win a few prizes along the way.
Centro Al Manhal
These guys are doing their bit by offering a Check Out for Turtles scheme which allows guests to donate Dhs10 towards the Marine Turtle Conservation Project when they’re settling the bill. They’ve also got turtle adoption packs available at their hotel shop (for Dhs200), which include a soft toy turtle, a certificate of adoption and information about Gulf marine turtles.
Centro Al Manhal Abu Dhabi by Rotana (02 811 5000).
Fairmont
Fairmont have sponsored their own hawksbill, Shelly, and have been running some competitions in her honour. The first invited fans to name their adopted turtle, and the winner received a 90-minute spa treatment experience at The Spa at Fairmont Dubai. Their current competition, which ends on July 8, is one you will not want to miss. The prize is a One Day Access Pass at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Abu Dhabi and entitles the winner to full use of the beach, pool and Health Club facilities, and the use of a luxurious Fairmont room from 10am-6pm. To win, all you’ll need to do is try to guess the final distance Shelly will swim by the end of the race. The winner will be announced on July 12. To find out more and take part, go to www.facebook.com/fairmontbabalbahr. Fairmont are also sharing information on the Marine Turtle Conservation Project with guests as they check in, and have made turtle adoption packs available for purchase across all Fairmont hotels.
Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Bain Al Jessrain (02 654 3333).
Nokia
In 2011, Nokia and Emirates Wildlife Society in association with WWF (EWS-WWF), joined forces to raise awareness of the region’s Marine Turtle Conservation Project. Nokia have sponsored three turtles for the race (Lumia, Asha and Belle) and have been encouraging folks to recycle their unwanted handsets and old phones. Why? Well it’s a means of killing two birds with one stone (please excuse the metaphor). By taking your old phone to a designated Nokia Care Centre, you’re not only caring for the environment but you’re also contributing to Nokia’s support of the Marine Turtle Conservation Project. And there is an added bonus: every person who recycles their phone at a Nokia Care Centre in UAE has the chance of winning an EWS-WWF turtle adoption pack. Nokia purchased 200 such adoption packs, to be given to lucky recyclers.
All Nokia Care Centres in the UAE have permanent ‘Take-Back’ and recycling points installed – to find your nearest recycling point call Nokia Careline in UAE, toll free (800 0444 9813).
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers
These are the guys who hosted the launch of the Great Gulf Turtle Race 2012 and are sponsors of another competing hawksbill, Rimani, who has already achieved local celebrity status thanks to the creation of the Rimani soft toy. While Rimani, Tootsie and all their other friends are out charting a detailed map of migratory routes to help save their endangered species, the Etihad Towers soft toys are looking cute in the hotel rooms and raising awareness of their efforts. For guests, or those simply visiting the hotel, Rimani soft toys can also be purchased from the hotel’s gift shop, with proceeds going towards the rehabilitation of the real Rimani.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers (02 811 5555). For more information about the project and to learn about the turtles visit the Marine Turtle Conservation Project at www.gulfturtles.com.
