Emerging, they race to the sea and swim out to the deep ocean feeding grounds. Statistically, only one of 1,000 hatchlings will survive to reproductive age between 20 and 50 years old. The hatchlings are easy prey for sharks and other fish. However, the biggest threats to turtles come from mankind turtles are hunted for their shells and meat while the eggs are consumed for their supposedly extraordinary nutritional values. Contrary to belief, a turtle egg contains the same nutritional value as a chicken egg.
Sea pollution is another major cause of their decline.
The program was initially financed by an island resort operator, but at the time of the Asian financial crisis, the sponsor withdrew from the program. Without funding, conservation efforts could halt. The situation brought back painful memories to Dr. Chan and Mr. Liew. However, their work came too late. Decades of inaction, lack of nesting beach protection, and consumption of the eggs diminished that turtle population from a few thousand to just a handful.