Very few know that turtles are the last of the dinosaurs, belonging to the oldest living order of class Reptilia and their fossil record extending back to about 180 million years. They have the longest life span among vertebrates and several species may live upto 100 years. Their sense of vision and smell are well developed though hearing is not. Adult turtles are predominantly herbivorous but youngs of most species are carnivorous upto the age of six months to a year.

Out of eight species of marine turtles found in the world, two namely Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Olive ridly (Lepidochelys olivacea) - have made the beaches of HawksBay and Sandspit in Karachi their home. Turtles live to perform their ordained task for they are an important balancing link in our ecological system as any other form of life.

Green turtles (named because of the color of their fat) measure 3.5ft in shell length and weigh about 300 lbs. Olive ridley has 1.5 ft shell length and weigh about 100 lbs. A hatchling on emergence from the nest measures just 2" in length and less than an ounce in weight. The female lays eggs on sand in laboriously excavated proposed pit by it, with tears in her eyes. The viscous tear infact is the discharge excess salt derived from turtle's ability to drink seawater a marine adaptation.

After laying eggs, which she does 2-3 times in a season, and camouflaging the nest hole, female turtle returns to the sea. She appears to be devoid of maternal instinct, for she takes no further interest in the eggs or hatchlings. In order to ensure continuity of the species, the Sindh wildlife department has taken on the role of foster parents. Considering endangered status of the two species Sindh Wildlife Department started a pilot project in 1980 for conservation of marine turtles in collaboration with IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) and WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) International. All the sea turtles have been declared " Protected " under Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance, 1972.

Turtles, their eggs and hatchlings have been protected from poachers and predators. Eggs are collected by the officials of Sindh Wildlife Department and incubated in the enclosure for hatching. The hatchlings after emergence are escorted to the sea. So far, more than 450000 hatchlings have been released to the sea. Adult turtles are tagged with monel metal tags with 'W' as a code number and address of the Department for return information. Data to record number of eggs, hatchlings, incubation period, tagging, tag recoveries, nesting frequency and behavior, measurement of size, weight, food, feeding and diseases is collected and compiled for obtaining significant results. Captive breeding has also been introduced on experimental basis to raise the population size and reduce the mortality rate of hatchlings.

Education of masses for public awareness is an important aspect of the project carried out through various electronic and print media.

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