In a heartening display of civic responsibility and environmental stewardship, the Egyptian Ministry of Environment has successfully released an endangered sea turtle back into its natural habitat at the Ashtoum El-Gamil Protected Area on the Mediterranean coast. The rescue operation, carried out under the directive of Dr. Manal Awad, Acting Minister of Environment and Minister of Local Development, underscores Egypt’s commitment to safeguarding biodiversity and marine ecosystems.
Citizen-Led Rescue Leads to a Remarkable Recovery
The initiative began when a concerned citizen — a woman vacationing on one of Egypt’s northern beaches — discovered a struggling sea turtle washed ashore in poor health, visibly affected by plastic pollution. Demonstrating remarkable initiative, she cared for the turtle until it regained strength, then reported the case via Egypt’s official Government Complaints Portal.
The Ministry responded swiftly. Environmental teams coordinated with the citizen, retrieved the animal, and transferred it to the Ashtoum El-Gamil Wildlife Rescue and Marine Turtle Rehabilitation Center, where it received professional veterinary care and observation.
Upon inspection, specialists confirmed that the turtle belonged to the Loggerhead species (Caretta caretta) — a species listed as vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN. Juvenile and in stable condition, the turtle underwent full biological assessment and tagging before being released into the waters of the Mediterranean Sea, within the protected boundaries of the reserve.
Civic Engagement
In a statement, Dr. Manal Awad extended her sincere appreciation to the woman who initiated the rescue. “Such actions reflect a growing awareness among Egyptian citizens of the importance of protecting biodiversity,” she said. “We urge the public to report any similar cases immediately, as timely intervention is critical to the survival of these endangered species.”
The Minister emphasized that the preservation of marine life — especially in ecologically sensitive zones like the Nile Delta and Mediterranean coastline — is a national priority. The Ministry is currently intensifying its public awareness campaigns on marine conservation, plastic pollution, and species protection.
Environmental Challenges in the Mediterranean
Egypt’s Mediterranean waters, while rich in biodiversity, are increasingly threatened by plastic debris, climate change, and overfishing. Sea turtles, in particular, are vulnerable to ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic waste. The Ministry’s latest action serves as a reminder of the urgent need for both institutional and community-level action to protect marine wildlife.
