California Man Arrested for Trafficking 292 Wild Turtles to Taiwan
Donald Do faces five years in prison for allegedly obtaining federal permits under false claims to export protected loggerhead musk turtles poached from Florida.
Federal authorities arrested a California man Friday on wildlife trafficking charges after he allegedly obtained export permits under false pretenses to ship 292 loggerhead musk turtles to Taiwan over an 18-month period.
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Donald Do and an unidentified accomplice sought to export the protected turtles from December 2022 to May 2024, claiming they were captive-bred when they had actually been poached from the wild in Florida and other locations, according to the Department of Justice.
Multi-State Operation Exposed
The scheme involved Do purchasing wild-caught turtles and arranging for them to be shipped to San Francisco after his accomplice obtained the necessary US Fish and Wildlife Service export license. Authorities also arrested Albert Bazaar of Louisiana, whom Do allegedly tried to purchase 200 turtles from. Bazaar faces separate charges for poaching and selling more than 1,700 loggerhead musk turtles.
The arrests came as part of a broader federal crackdown on turtle trafficking in the southeastern United States called "Southern Hot Herps," targeting the illegal trade of protected reptiles and amphibians.
Loggerhead musk turtles, named for their oversized heads and powerful jaws that allow them to crush hard-shelled prey, are classified as a protected species under federal law. The small turtles, measuring just 3-5 inches, are popular in the international pet trade due to their aquarium-friendly size.
Lacey Act Violation
Do's case falls under the Lacey Act, a federal conservation law that makes it illegal to provide false information about wildlife in international or interstate commerce. The law carries serious penalties designed to protect American wildlife from illegal trafficking networks.
If convicted, Do faces up to five years in federal prison. He pleaded not guilty at a recent court hearing, according to the Los Angeles Times. His bond hearing is scheduled for May 21.
The case highlights how criminal networks exploit federal permitting systems designed to regulate legitimate wildlife trade, undermining conservation efforts for species already under pressure from habitat loss and illegal collection.
