Over 1,000 turtles confiscated from a Canadian man’s luggage at Detroit Metropolitan Airport are being cared for by the Detroit Zoo.
According to the Detroit Zoological Society, a Canadian man was arrested last week after federal agents discovered 1,007 turtles, some endangered, stuffed inside rubber snow boots and cereal boxes, within the man’s luggage.
The suspect was stopped before he could board a flight to Shanghai, China. The zoological society was contacted a short time later by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to care for the turtles, while officials conduct their investigation.
“The conditions of the turtles vary. It isn’t surprising that some are not doing well given the way they were being smuggled,” said Scott Carter, DZS chief life sciences officer. “Most are not of conservation concern, but some are endangered species.”
Of the 1,007 turtles, the society says 750 were diamondback terrapins, as well as a red-necked pond turtles, spotted turtles, wood turtles, Blanding’s turtles, red-eared sliders and African spur-thighed tortoises.
The reptiles are now being housed behind the scene at the Detroit Zoo, so staff can provide proper care for the animals.
Authorities say the arrest of the suspect is connected to an international smuggling ring. In August, a Windsor man, allegedly leading the ring, was arrested at the Detroit-Windsor border with 51 turtles hidden in his pants.
Upon completion of the investigation, the USFWS will take ownership of the turtles for placement back into the wild.
