# @usfws on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DYajOTPEodz
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/65592020-usfws-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/63d01fbbdd.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-05-16T21:36:12.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (@usfws) — https://gondola.cc/usfws

## Caption

UPDATED: Over 1,800 turtles stolen from the wild – a major wildlife trafficking case exposed.

Between January 2022 and December 2023, 1,700 loggerhead musk turtles, 100 striped-neck musk turtles and 15 striped mud turtles were poached from their native habitats in Florida and sold overseas. The shipments, valued in total $550,000, were part of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Operation Southern Hot Herps, a coordinated enforcement action to detect and deter turtle poachers in the southeastern United States.

The illegally collected turtles involved in this illicit pet trade were transported through San Francisco to Taiwan under export permits falsely claiming they were captive-bred. The shipment featured in these photos contained approximately 170 loggerhead musk turtles per box, packed in small laundry bags with wet paper towels and frozen packs of broccoli to keep them cool.

Florida law protects fresh and marine turtle species from unregulated harvest. Loggerhead musk turtles, stripe-neck musk turtles and striped mud turtles are all protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). A Louisiana man has been arrested and charged in connection with this trafficking operation and is currently awaiting legal proceedings.

Wildlife smuggling is not only illegal, but also incredibly cruel. Turtles caught in this illegal trade often suffer severe injuries, such as broken shells, and endure extreme stress that can lead to death. Additionally, you will face charges if you’re caught trafficking wildlife and can potentially face prison time and up to a $250,000 fine or more in certain circumstances.

Report a wildlife crime: 1-844-FWS-TIPS

Photos by USFWS #NationalPoliceWeek

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## Tags

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