Extreme heat affects endangered turtle hatchings in Oman: Extreme heat and humidity this summer have lowered the survival rates of the critically endangered Hawksbill turtle and other endangered turtle hatchlings on Oman’s Al Husn, Al Bandar, and Al Waha beaches, Muscat Daily reported last week. Only 129 nests and some 3.2k hatchlings survived, compared to 154 nests and 4.3k hatchlings last year.

But some have put some protection measures in place: A team led by turtle conservationist Mohamed Al Hasani moved 2k eggs to a nearby cave to regulate their temperature. “We had to move the eggs within 24 hours to ensure their survival. The eggs are incredibly sensitive, and any delay could have resulted in a complete loss,” Al Hassani said. Once hatched, the baby turtles were released to the sea.

Climate change is adding fuel to the fire: MENA temperatures have risen an average of 0.46°C per decade in the last 45 years compared to the world average of 0.18°C per decade.

Conservation efforts are in focus across the region: The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Dolphin Energy launched a three-year partnership earlier this year to support preserving endangered species and emerging conservationists. Tunisia’s Assembly of People’s Representatives also approved a bill in February to establish a legislative and regulatory framework for the application of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Oman’s Six Senses Zighy Bay resort successfully completed last year the first phase of its two-year coral restoration program aimed at reviving the Acropora and Pocillopora coral species.

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