Defending turtles in North Dakota from traffickers

North Dakota – Turtles have lived in North Dakota for millions of years, but they now confront contemporary concerns.

They are currently gathered and sold on the illegal market all over the nation, including in North Dakota.

Additionally, the government is attempting to halt this.

Our state is home to 5 different species of turtle, according to North Dakota Game & Fish.

Each of them, from the painted turtle to the snapping turtle, is significant to North Dakota’s ecosystem.

Therefore, stealing any quantity of them could harm our ecology.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife discovered that some Asian communities are buying American turtles on the illicit market at an alarming rate for use as food, pets, and ornaments.

Both state and federal laws are broken by this.

In order to stop the smuggling of our turtles, multiple federal agencies are now collaborating in border states like North Dakota and at ports of entry.

“I think it’s important to note that wildlife inspectors at the ports of entry across the United States are there looking, and we know a lot about this trade from intelligence information sharing with our partners at the state and other federal agencies working. And we’re finding these turtles being exported out of the United States in inhumane conditions,” said Supervisory Wildlife Inspector for U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Joe Rousseau.

The actual number of turtles that are illegally exported from the country each year is unknown to Fish and Wildlife, but when these turtles reach their destination, they almost certainly won’t survive.

And many people pass away while traveling.

Turtles have been known to be hidden by smugglers in socks, airless boxes, and even kid’s toys.