In July of 2022, over 100 Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) were brought to the Turtle Conservancy’s conservation center by U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents. These turtles were seized at LAX airport and were intended to be smuggled into China as part of the illegal pet trade.

When local journalist, Perry Van Houten with the Ojai Valley News, heard about this confiscation case, he approached the TC in hopes of writing a story. Van Houten then met with some of our TC team and board members Rick Ridgeway, Manci Rasmussen, Maurice Rodigues, and Bruce Weissgold to get the full details and to interview experts in the field.

Thank you, Perry and Ojai Valley News, for taking an interest in our work and for writing a story that will spread awareness and create more support for stopping the illegal wildlife trade.