Dadu Invites Culture Pass Family Members to Watch Turtles Hatching

Qatar Museums' Culture Pass is being hosted by Dadu, Qatar's Children's Museum, in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC) and the Qatar Natural History Group. Family members on field excursions to Fuwairit Beach as part of the Qatar Turtle Project to watch the hawksbill turtle hatch. The yearly hatching season of the hawksbill turtle - designated as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 1982 - near Qatar's coastline is the focus of this year's edition of Turtle Encounters. Every year, from the beginning of June to the end of July, the hatching phase takes place.

"Environmental conservation and sustainability are essential strategic learning goals at Dadu," said Essa Al Mannai, the school's director. The beliefs and attitudes that children adopt today will be critical for future societies to be viable. Children can encounter the beauty of nature firsthand through projects like these, enhancing their appreciation for and connection with the natural world. Thank you to the MOECC for making Turtle Encounters possible for our young audience and for continuing to safeguard and promote Qatar's natural home."

Turtle Encounters, which take place from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 16, 21, 23, 28, 30, and July 5, 7, and 12, are open to Culture Pass Family members. Each visit is limited in size to ensure the safety of participants and marine animals. Members of the Culture Pass Family will receive a link to register for Turtle Encounters in the members' newsletter.

Participating Culture Pass Families will visit the turtle nesting location on Fuwairit Beach as part of Turtle Encounters before taking part in a beach cleanup. Visitors will observe a team of environmental conservationists collect, count, and measure newborn turtle hatchlings before releasing them into the sea during the event.

Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Khanji, Director of the MOECC's Department of Wildlife Development, stated that the project to protect sea turtles in Qatar began in 2003 and has progressed through several stages, the most recent of which was the closure of Fuwairit Beach, where over 35,000 turtle hatchlings were released into the sea over the previous five years.

The ministry is enabling members of the public to visit the turtle hatching location to learn more about its conservation efforts in order to raise awareness and showcase Qatar's efforts to safeguard endangered animals. Members of the public, especially children, who visit the turtle hatchery have the opportunity to learn more about the importance of endangered species protection and participate in the release of turtle hatchlings.

Dadu invited teachers from throughout Qatar to see the nesting phase of the hawksbill turtle in May as a token of his gratitude for their tireless effort to educate Qatar's future generations. In addition, Dadu is holding turtle hatching seminars in Doha schools. More than 100 youngsters from various schools have already taken part in these programs. Environmental activists collect measurements of the turtle eggs and tag and track them before transporting them to a protected spot for the nesting time, which runs from the beginning of April until the end of May.