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In February of 1997, the Water and Environmental
Police of Egypt, in cooperation with the EEAA, conducted a raid
on Tunsi market in Cairo. Over 200 tortoises of the endangered
species, Testudo Kleinmanni (the Egyptian Tortoise) were
seized, along with almost 200 snakes and lizards. These reptiles
were later obtained by Sherif and Mindi Baha El Din, two of the
premier conservationist in Egypt. All the reptiles other than
the Egyptian Tortoises were returned to the appropriate environments
to which their species belong. Sherif Baha El Din's long-time
goal has been to protect and conserve this exploited species.
This has led to the establishment of the largest breeding population
of Egyptian Tortoises and the only one of it's kind in a secondary
school in the world. Thanks must be given to Sherif for his vision
in the field of conservation in Egypt and to Andy C. Highfield
of the Tortoise Trust in London for his advice and help in establishing
a conservation program at Cairo American College. 
The goal of the program is to educate the students at Cairo American College, the community and students from around the world about the ethical responsibility and value of preserving species through such undertakings. More details about this program and it's educational and conservation potential will be forthcoming as it evolves.
Taking care of an endangered species is not as easy as it sounds. The tortoises must be fed every day, they must be hydrated 2 or 3 times a week, they must be massed and other data taken in order to better understand this little known animal. Many of the tortoises have been sick, injured, dehydrated and in desperate need help. When the adults are nursed back to health and capable of breeding, it is hoped that their hatchlings, when beyond the most susceptible size for predation, will be released into the wild. Any future release however, can only be done after a thorough environmental assessment of the release areas. One such area now being attempted is in Zarnik, under the guidance of Dr. Sherif Baha El Din.
Dr El Din is initating a program of studied release, on an island in the north of Sinai. The released tortoised have been equipted with radio transmitting devices, in order to better monitor their success in returning to their natural habitat.