Egyptian citizen saves six endangered loggerhead sea turtles from sale at local market

CAIRO – 21 June 2026: An environmentally conscious Egyptian citizen successfully rescued six endangered loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) after discovering them being offered for sale by a merchant at the Obour Market in Cairo Governorate.

The citizen purchased the turtles with the sole intention of protecting them, subsequently contacting the Ministry of Environment to intervene and ensure their safe rescue.

Upon receiving the notification, the Ministry’s Sea Turtle Rescue Center—a branch of the Nature Protection Sector—coordinated with authorities at the Ashtoum El-Gamil Protected Area to take swift action. A specialized team from the rescue center was dispatched to the market, where they took custody of the marine animals and safely transported them to the rehabilitation facilities.

The rescue team highly commended the citizen's environmental awareness, praising his understanding of the critical importance of sea turtles and their vital role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems.