Maryland wildlife officials seized 43 eastern box turtles and three painted turtles from a private property in St. Mary’s County in October 2024, according to a Maryland Department of Natural Resources news release. I read the release and confirmed that the turtles were housed in abysmal and cramped conditions, with most of them highly stressed, in poor body condition, and incredibly sick. The seizure came after state and local officials responded to a tip about illegal possession of the protected reptiles.
The eastern box turtle is a species of special concern in Maryland, meaning its population is vulnerable to decline from habitat loss, road mortality, and poaching. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources news release noted that the agency is now calling for tighter rules to protect turtles from illegal collection and trade. Maryland law already prohibits taking box turtles from the wild without a permit, and the maximum penalty for illegal possession can include fines and jail time.
What This Means for Homeowners in Maryland
If you find a turtle on your property in Maryland, the best thing is to leave it where it is or move it to the nearest safe natural area in the same direction it was heading. Relocating a turtle far from where you found it can stress the animal and spread disease. For practical advice on managing other wild animals that might take shelter around your home, I recommend the guide on getting rid of raccoons in your chimney, which covers humane removal steps that apply to many scenarios. Also, while opossums are different from turtles, the page on whether possums carry diseases explains the general principle that most wild animals are best left alone unless they pose a direct health risk.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources news release urges anyone who suspects illegal turtle poaching to report it to the agency’s Natural Resources Police. The state continues to investigate the October 2024 seizure and has not yet announced charges in the case.
The notice is published by Maryland Department of Natural Resources news at news.maryland.gov.
