Alberta man fined $35k for possessing dozens of endangered turtles, turtle eggs
An Alberta man has been fined $35,000 for possessing protected turtles and turtle eggs.
On May 24, 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) enforcement officers, working with Canada Border Services, intercepted and inspected a package that Zheng had imported from China.
The package contents had been allegedly declared as “children’s building blocks,” but instead contained live turtles and turtle eggs.
Advertisement
Three days later, ECCC officers along with Alberta Fish and Wildlife Officers and Calgary police executed a search warrant and found 63 turtles and 58 turtle eggs. DNA analysis determined that 76 of the 121 specimens were listed as endangered.
The turtles have been moved to professional care facilities in Ontario and Alberta.
Last Friday, Zhongmin Zheng pleaded guilty two charges under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.
In addition to the fine, Zheng is prohibited from possessing any live animals for a period of two years.
