Sur: Recently, an Instagrammer posted a picture of the red lights in Ras Al Hadd, home to endangered olive ridley turtles in the governorate of Al Sharqiyah South. The post quickly went viral and many criticised the rationale for putting red lights by sacrificing safety concerns in the popular tourist area.
But the social media did not see the big picture and missed the plight of these turtles. These lights with limited brightness were part of a programme by the Environment Authority to protect the world’s few remaining turtle species Red-light bulbs were installed due to their minimal impact on young turtles. Young turtles, upon hatching, inherently rely on the moon's natural light to guide them from their nesting sites to the ocean. This instinctual behaviour ensures their successful transition into their marine habitat. However, the intrusion of artificial lights severely disrupts this natural process.
The presence of non-natural illumination leads to the disorientation of hatchlings, causing them to veer off course and become stranded on land. This interference poses a significant threat to their survival, as the sea is their ultimate destination and source of sustenance.
Therefore, the proactive measures stand as a pivotal step in safeguarding the delicate life cycle of these sea turtle species. Through the implementation of controlled lighting practices, these efforts aim to mitigate the adverse impacts of human activity on these remarkable creatures, thereby contributing to the long-term health and preservation of their populations.
This incident also underscores the risk of misinformed opinions especially on social media. It also calls on the need to verify information before forming judgments. Combating social media misinformation is a shared responsibility. It starts with thorough research and fact-checking. Encouraging informed opinions and critical thinking can control fake news.
Social media is a powerful tool. Broadcasting information in real time is helpful in many cases especially during natural disasters or other emergencies. But posts such as the one referred above underscores the downsides of social media, where false information can spread like wildfire and dousing it becomes difficult. One should exercise caution while forwarding, sharing, tweeting or retweeting information on social media without verifying the source and the content.
Official statistics reveal that each year, an estimated 6,000 to 13,000 turtles choose to nest within this region. These turtles undertake migrations to the Sultanate of Oman from remote areas like the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea and the coastlines of Somalia. Additionally, it is important to highlight that the reserve serves as a habitat for a diverse array of bird and wildlife species. The primary objective behind its creation is to safeguard the natural ecosystem from human disruption.
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