Abu Dhabi’s natural environment stretches from the waters of the Arabian Gulf to vast desert landscapes. These ecosystems support wildlife that has adapted to some of the region’s most demanding conditions. Protecting them requires more than awareness. It needs research, long-term monitoring and cooperation between conservation organisations, scientists and communities.
For us at Miral, environmental responsibility is part of how we think about our role in Abu Dhabi. Our brand principles recognise the need to balance growth with the needs of future generations. Today, that commitment is taking a more structured form through the Miral Impact Fund “IMPACT by Miral” and its Conservation pillar.
Four Conservation Priorities for 2026
In May 2026, we announced four conservation priorities through IMPACT by Miral. They focus on both marine and terrestrial ecosystems: tracking sea turtle populations across the Arabian Gulf, advancing AI-enabled sustainable aquaculture, protecting the Arabian Sand Cat in Abu Dhabi’s deserts, and safeguarding the critically endangered Dama Gazelle.
The programmes bring together organisations with experience across research, wildlife management and conservation. They include Yas SeaWorld® Research & Rescue Center Yas Island, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain Zoo, alongside researchers and conservation experts from organisations including Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, New York University Abu Dhabi, Khalifa University and United Arab Emirates University.
Understanding Sea Turtles in the Arabian Gulf
Protecting a species starts with understanding where it goes, the habitats it depends on and the pressures it faces.
The Sea Turtle Population Tracking Programme uses GPS tagging, monitoring and rescue and stranding data to study juvenile and adult turtles in the Arabian Gulf. Researchers can use this information to map turtle movements, identify important feeding areas and build a clearer picture of population health. The resulting data is intended to support marine conservation policy and environmental strategies in the UAE.
It also connects conservation with the wider community. Schools and members of the public are being engaged to build awareness and participation in protecting marine ecosystems.
Bringing Technology into Sustainable Aquaculture
Protecting biodiversity also means looking at how natural resources are used.
Another of the four priorities focuses on AI-enabled sustainable aquaculture. The Innovations for Sustainable Aquaculture Programme focuses on developing next-generation solutions for marine food systems by integrating AI and circular economy principles. The initiative uses automated underwater monitoring systems to track fish behaviour, health, and productivity, while exploring innovative circular-economy approaches such as using agricultural waste to enhance fish feed and reduce environmental impact.
This is important because conservation is not limited to protecting individual animals. It also involves finding better ways to manage the relationship between people, food systems and natural ecosystems.
Studying the Arabian Sand Cat in Abu Dhabi’s Desert
The desert is another important part of Abu Dhabi’s biodiversity story.
The Arabian Sand Cat Research Programme is one of the four initiatives being supported under the Conservation pillar. It focuses attention on an animal adapted to the UAE’s desert environment and forms part of the wider effort to strengthen knowledge of terrestrial species and ecosystems.
By improving the information available to researchers and conservation specialists, programmes such as this can help inform longer-term approaches to biodiversity protection.
Supporting the Future of the Dama Gazelle
The Dama Gazelle Conservation Programme builds on Al Ain Zoo’s internationally recognised leadership in conservation breeding to address one of the most urgent challenges in species preservation. With fewer than 200 individuals remaining in the wild, the programme focuses on closing genetic knowledge gaps between captive, reintroduced and wild populations through advanced genomics and biobanking.
The programme aims to secure the future of one of the world’s rarest antelope species through advanced genetic research and global coordination. By developing a conservation genomics and biobanking framework, the programme supports more effective breeding, management and reintroduction strategies for this critically endangered species.
Turning Environmental Commitments into Action
These four programmes sit within a wider approach to social impact in Abu Dhabi.
IMPACT by Miral was established with the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an in late 2025. It operates across four pillars: Conservation, Art & Culture, Health & Wellbeing, and Education & Skills Development. Its governance includes a Steering Committee and an Advisory Group, helping provide oversight and align programmes with Abu Dhabi’s environmental and social priorities.
Our approach to conservation is therefore not about one species or one environment. From sea turtles moving through the Arabian Gulf to wildlife living in the desert, each programme addresses a different part of a much bigger picture.
By supporting research, bringing together specialist partners and creating structured conservation programmes, we can contribute to a stronger understanding of the natural environments that make Abu Dhabi distinctive and help protect them for the generations that follow.
