Donald Do, a California resident, was arrested for trying to traffic 292 loggerhead musk turtles to Taiwan, falsely claiming they were captive-bred. From December 2022 to May 2024, Do and an accomplice obtained a US Fish and Wildlife Service export license, enabling them to attempt this illegal export. Authorities allege that the turtles were poached from the wild in Florida and other areas. The loggerhead musk turtle, a protected species, has a small size of about 3-5 inches and can be easily kept in aquariums. The turtles are known for their large heads and powerful jaws, which allow them to feed on hard-shelled prey. In connection with this case, Albert Bazaar, a Louisiana man, was also arrested for attempting to sell 200 turtles and is accused of poaching and selling over 1,700 loggerhead musk turtles. If convicted, Do faces up to five years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty, and a bond hearing is set for May 21. Law enforcement has intensified efforts against turtle poaching in the southeastern United States through an operation called “Southern Hot Herps.”