AGUS SANTOSO GENTLY PLACES A HAWKSBILL TURTLE ON A BEACH IN CENTRAL JAVA, 2002-09-24 (photo)

Agus Santoso gently places a hawksbill turtle on a beach in central Java, Indonesia, releasing it back to the ocean after it had been caught that morning by a local fisherman. Santoso has made a name for himself around the beaches near Java's ancient royal capital, Yogyakarta, trying to preserve the local turtle population by buying back those caught by fishermen and protecting turtle eggs laid on the beaches. In a country where smuggling is rife, what makes Santoso's initiative even more remarkable is that he gets no funding or help from local authorities or non-governmental organisations. Picture taken September 24, 2002. REUTERS/Dwi Oblo TO ACCOMPANY FEATURE STORY INDONESIA-TURTLES EN/DY/PB