Shell-shocked: California man arrested for attempting to traffic wild turtles
Summary
A California man named Donald Do was arrested for trying to illegally export nearly 300 wild loggerhead musk turtles to Taiwan. He falsely claimed the turtles were bred in captivity to get a permit but actually bought them from poachers. Another man from Louisiana, Albert Bazaar, was also arrested for selling over 1,700 turtles taken from the wild.Key Facts
- Donald Do tried to export 292 wild loggerhead musk turtles to Taiwan between December 2022 and May 2024.
- Do and an accomplice obtained a US Fish and Wildlife Service export permit by falsely claiming the turtles were captive-bred.
- The turtles were actually poached from the wild in Florida and other places.
- Albert Bazaar from Louisiana was arrested for selling over 1,700 loggerhead musk turtles.
- Loggerhead musk turtles are protected by law and have large heads with strong jaws.
- The Lacey Act makes it illegal to give false information about wildlife in trade.
- Law enforcement conducted an operation called “Southern Hot Herps” to stop turtle poaching in the southeastern US.
- If convicted, Do could face up to five years in prison. He pleaded not guilty and has a bond hearing scheduled for May 21.
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