When turtles need help, call for backup
Helping injured turtles. If you find an injured turtle, call your local animal control officer, veterinarian, or humane society for help locating a certified wildlife rehabilitator who is qualified to provide care. | |
Reporting suspicious behavior. If you suspect someone is illegally collecting or selling wild turtles, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by phone (1–844-FWS-TIPS) or email (fws_tips@fws.gov), or your state wildlife agency. The Service is authorized to pay rewards for information or assistance that leads to an arrest, a criminal conviction, civil penalty assessment, or forfeiture of seized property. Learn more. What to Look Out For | |
- People with bags, poking around in wetlands and along streams, or flipping over logs and rocks.
- Cars parked near forested areas with collection equipment (like nets and containers) visible inside.
- Sheets of metal or plywood that have been laid on the ground to attract cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians.
- Unmarked traps set in wetlands. Traps for research will be clearly marked. (Some states do allow limited trapping for certain species.)
- Unattended backpacks or bags left in the woods, along a trail, or near roads. Don’t ever open a suspicious bag or container - report it to authorities. It could contain anything from venomous snakes to explosives.
What to Do If You See Something Suspicious
- Maintain a safe distance and protect yourself.
- Note the exact location, what happened, and who was involved (persons, vehicles, and other witnesses).
- Notify your state wildlife agency or the USFWS as soon as possible.
- If it is safe to do so, take photographs that can corroborate your report — for example, the license plate of a vehicle or serial number on a turtle trap.
- Do NOT confront suspicious persons or try to stop a crime yourself. Prioritize your safety, and then contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by phone (1–844-FWS-TIPS) or email (fws_tips@fws.gov), or contact your state wildlife agency.