Dr. Nabilah Rayed Idrees

I graduated from King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia, in 2024 among the first cohort of female veterinarians in the kingdom.

I received training on marine wildlife at several prestigious institutions such as ZSL London, KAUST Jeddah, The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi, and Roatan island in the Caribbean, which provided me with knowledge and experience in managing different animals and cases. In addition to this practical training, I completed several online courses.

Nabilah Rayed Idrees in NCW

My Role at NCW as the first Saudi Marine Veterinarian in the Kingdom involves:

Establishing rescue centers for marine animals

Planning and preparing the clinic and rescue vehicle

Sea turtle rehabilitation

Investigating causes of death in marine mammals and other marine creatures

Awareness education for school students and vet college students to introduce the new field to them and providing them with hands-on volunteering and educational opportunities

Main achievement in 2025:

Successful release of a sea turtle

In a landmark achievement that contributed towards the center's goals in protecting and developing wildlife and biodiversity, the center rescued a marine animal, rehabilitated it, and released it from the Jubail sanctuary
It was a Loggerhead Sea Turtle, and its international status is classified as Vulnerable. After being treated, rehabilitated, and cared for over a period of more than eight months, it was released back into the marine environment in the Arabian Gulf, with a satellite tracking device installed to monitor its route
The turtle suffered from Chronic Debilitation Syndrome, showing symptoms such as extreme weight-loss, severe dehydration, bacterial infections in the internal organs, and positive byouancy that prevented it from diving and feeding normally. By the end of the treatment period, all symptoms had recovered.