For Immediate Release
Over 2,000 Wild Turtles Seized in Mexico; Conservationists Race to Save Survivors
October 10, 2025
CONTACT: Jordan Gray, Turtle Survival Alliance, (912) 659-0978, jgray@turtlesurvival.org
- Over 2,000 wild-caught turtles, including critically endangered Vallarta Mud Turtles, were seized in Jalisco, Mexico. Surviving turtles are now under intensive care at Zoológico Guadalajara, receiving emergency veterinary treatment, quarantine, and monitoring.
- The turtles were part of an organized trafficking network targeting international markets. Authorities have prosecuted three individuals, highlighting the scale and impact of wildlife trafficking on threatened species.
- With fewer than 400 Vallarta Mud Turtles remaining in the wild, rapid disease screenings and ongoing care are crucial. The rescue contributes to assurance colonies and long-term recovery, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation action in Mexico.
- Turtle Survival Alliance is mobilizing resources to support Zoológico Guadalajara with disease testing, treatment, and care for the seized turtles.
North Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America – The Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) today announced that authorities in Jalisco, Mexico, uncovered more than 2,000 wild-caught turtles hidden among sea cucumbers, shark fins, and other wildlife contraband. The turtles represent six species of mud turtle and one species of box turtle native to Mexico, including dozens of critically endangered Vallarta Mud Turtles (Kinosternon vogti)—the most imperiled turtle species in the Western Hemisphere. Hundreds of turtles from the confiscation have already perished.
These species span five levels of conservation status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, ranging from Least Concern to Critically Endangered. All trade in these turtles is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), with two species strictly prohibited from trade under Appendix I. All of them, however, play a vital role in Mexico’s extraordinary biodiversity—home to the second-highest turtle and tortoise species richness in the world.
“With fewer than 400 Vallarta Mud Turtles left in the wild, this rescue represents a crisis and a pivotal moment for conservation. By quickly identifying and treating disease, we can give each surviving turtle the best chance to contribute to assurance colonies and, ultimately, repatriation efforts,” said Marc Dupuis-Desormeaux, President & CEO of TSA.
The surviving turtles are now under the care of TSA’s partner institution in Mexico, Zoológico Guadalajara. Veterinary and animal care specialists are working around the clock to stabilize, assess, and treat the animals, providing emergency care and monitoring to give each one the best chance of survival.
On September 26, Mexican authorities—PROFEPA (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) and SEMARNAT (Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources)—contacted Zoológico Guadalajara to provide immediate shelter for the confiscated turtles after a major enforcement operation. At the zoo, veterinarians, biologists, and animal care staff activated emergency protocols to stabilize and assess each animal. The zoo continues to work closely with federal authorities to provide medical care, biosecure quarantine, and daily monitoring.
This latest confiscation highlights the scale and severity of the illegal wildlife trade and its devastating impact on threatened species in Mexico. According to Fiscalía General de la República (Attorney General’s Office), three individuals have been prosecuted for their alleged involvement in an organized wildlife trafficking network. The network is accused of illegally trading wildlife and wildlife products through a Guadalajara-based company, with products destined for the United States, China, and other Asian markets. The Ministerio Público Federal (Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office) has provided sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, securing pretrial detention for the accused and a one-month investigation period.
Amid ongoing legal proceedings, conservationists are racing to save the surviving turtles. Immediate disease screenings are critical—particularly for species at greatest risk. Of special concern is Ranavirus, a lethal pathogen capable of spreading rapidly through turtle populations. Identifying and containing any outbreak will be essential to stabilizing the animals and preventing further losses. For the Vallarta Mud Turtle, every animal saved represents an irreplaceable opportunity for the species’ survival.
“Providing care to these animals is both a responsibility and a privilege,” said Luis Soto-Rendon, Director General of Zoológico Guadalajara. “Mexico is home to a great richness of turtle and tortoise diversity. We are deeply committed to protecting this natural heritage—through emergency response, long-term conservation, and partnerships that ensure these species are not lost to trafficking and extinction.”
Zoológico Guadalajara has emerged as a national leader in turtle conservation through science-based management and exemplary animal welfare. The zoo achieved the country’s first successful captive hatching of the Vallarta Mud Turtle and, in partnership with TSA, SEMARNAT, and other authorities, has developed specialized habitats and breeding protocols to safeguard the species’ genetic diversity and future survival.
This crisis highlights the scale of the illegal turtle trade and the urgent need for conservation action. TSA is mobilizing resources to support Zoológico Guadalajara with disease testing, treatment, and care for the seized turtles, working closely with Mexican partners to secure a future for the Vallarta Mud Turtle and other at-risk species affected by wildlife trafficking.
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About Turtle Survival Alliance
Formed in 2001 and gaining nonprofit status in 2004, Turtle Survival Alliance is a global conservation organization with a mission to protect and restore wild populations of tortoises and freshwater turtles through science-based conservation, global leadership, and local stewardship. Our science-based initiatives are directed by local leaders, inspiring sustainable, community-based stewardship to prevent extinctions. Where populations cannot yet thrive in the wild, our conservation breeding programs preserve opportunities for their future survival. Turtle Survival Alliance operates or supports projects in 17 countries around the world, protecting critical habitats and providing on-the-ground resources to safeguard the most imperiled turtle and tortoise species. Through these efforts, we make a positive impact on well over 100 species of turtles and tortoises. For more information, visit us on our website and join the conversation and learning experience on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.