KARACHI, Dec 27: A number of endangered bird species are up for sale in the pet shops of Empress Market, a survey has revealed. Hatchlings of green turtles can be bought for Rs800 a pair. And a pair of fresh water turtles can be had for Rs500.

Similarly, Australian turtles can be bought for Rs3,000 a pair and African turtles for Rs1,000 per pair.

In Liaquatabad sale of birds and other pets takes place every Sunday. This informal market attracts a large number of people, who purchase as well as sell pets.

At this market endangered species are sometimes offered for sale. Almost a year ago, green turtle hatchlings were on sale in aquarium shops on Burns Road.

When attention of the Sindh wildlife department was drawn towards the sale of endangered species they raided several shops, seizing the species and later releasing them.

Even the zoological garden turns to the Empress Market to purchase rare species because, according to them, they have no other means to get endangered animals, insiders said.

However, when the Sindh wildlife department was contacted, an official expressed doubts over sale of endangered species.