What Happened to Turtles Alleged International Smuggler Hid in His Pants?

An African spurred tortoise (Geochelone sulcata), which the IUCN-World Conservation Union lists as “vulnerable” to extinction, was among the reptiles confiscated by federal agents who busted an international turtle and tortoise smuggling ring last week.(Photo via wikimedia commons)

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More than a thousand turtles – some endangered – found stuffed into rubber snow boots and cereal boxes inside a Canadian man’s luggage at Detroit Metropolitan Airport last week are receiving care at the Detroit Zoo.

The turtles were confiscated by federal agents, who arrested Lihua Lin, of Toronto at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport before he could board a flight to Shanghai, China, with the contraband turtles. The incident is connected to an international smuggling ring led by another Canadian man who attempted to cross the Detroit-Windsor border in August with 51 turtles concealed in his pants.

The Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) was contacted by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) agents and asked to assist with the turtles’ care while the investigation is under way.

Related:

• Man Arrested at Border with 51 Turtles Tucked in His Underpants
• Detroit Zoo Researchers Study ‘Smiling’ Turtles to Find Out Why They’re Dying

The 1,007 confiscated reptiles – mostly juvenile hatchlings less than a month old – include more than 750 diamondback terrapins as well as red-necked pond turtles (also known as Kwangtung river turtles), spotted turtles, wood turtles, Blanding’s turtles, red-eared sliders and African spur-thighed tortoises.

“The conditions of the turtles vary. It isn’t surprising that some are not doing well given the way they were being smuggled,” Scott Carter, the zoo’s chief life sciences officer, said in a news release. “Most are not of conservation concern, but some are endangered species.”

The confiscated turtles are being housed behind the scenes at the Detroit Zoo as reptile staff work to provide proper care and diets. Once the investigation is complete, the turtles will be transferred back to the USFWS for permanent placement.

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