Petition: Stop the Cruel Turtle Smuggling Trade Threatening U.S. Species

Across the U.S., thousands of turtles are being ripped from the wild and trafficked overseas in horrific conditions. Smugglers have been caught cramming turtles into socks, diapers, or boxes marked as “toys” to hide them. In one recent case, a Brooklyn man pleaded guilty to trying to ship 850 turtles worth $1.4 million to Hong Kong. Many were Eastern and three-toed box turtles — already threatened species.

This brutal trade not only inflicts immense suffering but also pushes fragile populations closer to collapse. Box turtles can live up to 100 years but reproduce slowly, making them especially vulnerable when stolen from their habitats. Every turtle taken has devastating ecological consequences.

Sign the petition now to demand the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service strengthen crackdowns on smugglers and protect native turtles. Sign the petition now to help stop this cruel trade.

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