The western painted turtle.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK: B.C. Conservation Officer Service
May 30, 2023 - 9:15 AM
A Kelowna resident was charged with two counts of unlawful possession of live wildlife after capturing protected live western painted turtles from a Kelowna pond and putting them his personal pond.
The incident occurred in the afternoon on May 28. Conservation offers got a tip about it from the public through the RAPP line, prompting an investigation the led to the seizure of two turtles from the pond on his property, according to a media release by the BC Conservation Officer Service issued May 30.
Both western painted turtles were returned to their pond by the Conservation Officer Service.
The case is following the recent court conviction of a Kelowna woman found to be in possession of a live western painted turtle.
The conservation service reminds the public the western painted turtle is a native species in the province and protected from harassment, killing or possession under the BC Wildlife Act. They are a “blue listed species,” which means they’re vulnerable to declining populations. Removing them from the wild can adversely affect populations, and conservation said turtles found in unlawful possession are often malnourished and starved.
Turtles can carry salmonella that easily transmits to people.
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