2 weeks ago
A California man, who received a national licence to export turtles nether nan mendacious declare that they had been captive-bred, has been arrested connected wildlife-trafficking charges, authorities said connected Friday.
Donald Do and an unidentified accomplice allegedly sought to export 292 loggerhead musk turtles to Taiwan from December 2022 to May 2024. The accomplice obtained nan US Fish and Wildlife Service export license, aft which, authorities say, Do purchased turtles poached from nan chaotic successful Florida and different locales. Do had besides allegedly sent instructions for nan animals to beryllium shipped to San Francisco.
A Louisiana man, Albert Bazaar, whom Do allegedly tried to bargain 200 turtles from, has besides been taken into custody for turtle trafficking. Bazaar has been accused of poaching and trading much than 1,700 loggerhead musk turtles.
Per a national conservation law, nan Lacey Act, it is forbidden to stock mendacious accusation astir wildlife related to world aliases interstate commerce. The loggerhead musk turtles are classified arsenic a protected species.
Loggerhead musk turtles are truthful named for their ample heads. They person powerful jaws, which let them to provender connected hard-shelled prey, and tin beryllium recovered successful US coastal waters. Their mini size – astir 3-5in – mean they tin easy beryllium kept successful an aquarium.
Law enforcement has cracked down connected turtle poachers successful nan south-eastern US successful an cognition dubbed “Southern Hot Herps”, according to nan Department of Justice.
If convicted of nan charge, Do faces up to 5 years successful prison. He pleaded not blameworthy astatine a caller tribunal hearing, according to nan Los Angeles Times.
A enslaved proceeding has been scheduled successful his lawsuit for 21 May.
