Mexican authorities rescue 3,400 trafficked baby turtles

During a roadblock in the southern state of Chiapas, agents found the critters "in overcrowded conditions" in boxes in a vehicle whose driver was arrested on wildlife trafficking charges, the environmental protection prosecutor's office said in a statement.
The baby animals were freshwater Meso-American sliders, native to Mexico, Central America and Colombia.
They are protected in Mexico against overexploitation.
"The specimens were transported without documentation proving their legal origin, which constitutes a violation of environmental regulations," the prosecutor's office said.
The turtles were taken to a specialized unit for rehabilitation and to determine whether they can be released back into the wild.
© 2025 AFP

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Mexican authorities rescue 3,400 trafficked baby turtles

During a roadblock in the southern state of Chiapas, agents found the critters "in overcrowded conditions" in boxes in a vehicle whose driver was arrested on wildlife trafficking charges, the environmental protection prosecutor's office said in a statement. The baby animals were freshwater Meso-American sliders, native to Mexico, Central America and Colombia. They are protected in Mexico against overexploitation. "The specimens were transported without documentation proving their legal origin, which constitutes a violation of environmental regulations," the prosecutor's office said. The turtles were taken to a specialized unit for rehabilitation and to determine whether they can be released back into the wild. © 2025 AFP

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