DWR: Spotted turtles destined for overseas markets returned to Virginia
VIRGINIA (WJHL) — After more than six years in captivity, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) released eight spotted turtles back into their home watershed in the Coastal Plain region of Virginia.
The turtles started their journey home in 2018 after being confiscated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as part of an illegal wildlife trafficking case, the DWR said in a news release.
The trafficking case consisted of 292 animals, including 184 spotted turtles, that were reportedly poached from the wild to be sold at markets overseas.
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The DWR stated poaching and trafficking of turtles, mostly for illegal pet trade, poses a major conservation problem.
"Being able to be the one to personally release these turtles back to their home was inspiring both professionally and personally," DWR State Herpetologist John Kleopfer, said in a news release. "Having been with DWR for 20 years, I've sadly seen too many of these situations not end well for these animals. What is also inspiring is that none of this would be possible without the dedication of our law enforcement staff and the numerous individuals and organizations working in concert to address this conservation threat. We hope this is just the beginning of repatriating what might be hundreds of confiscated turtles held in captivity waiting for their chance to return to the wild."
Several organizations and specialized facilities worked to ensure survival, determine the native watershed through extensive genetic work and complete disease screenings before the specific spotted turtles could be released.
The eight turtles were cared for at the Tennessee Aquarium and Dalton State College in Georgia, according to the DWR.
Team members from Collaborative to Combat Illegal Trade in Turtles (CCITT), the Association of Zoos and Aquariums – Saving Animals From Extinction (AZA SAFE) American Turtle Program, the Northeast Spotted Turtle Working Group and the Wildlife Center of Virginia helped in the project.
A long-term approach to returning confiscated turtles has been developed and implemented through funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Competitive State Wildlife Grants program, the DWR stated.
Spotted turtles are often found east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, according to the DWR , but are also found in Augusta and Page counties in the Shenandoah Valley, typically in shallow-water aquatic habitats.
These turtles are recognized by their black to blue-black shells with anywhere from 3 to 92 yellow or cream-colored spots .
