Just over a week ago, a staggering seizure of over 2,000 wild turtles in Mexico highlighted the scale and sophistication of the illegal wildlife trade. The confiscation included turtles from across the country, representing numerous species, many of them rare or highly sought after by collectors. Among them was the Vallarta Mud Turtle (Kinosternon vogti), the most endangered turtle species in the Western Hemisphere. Organized commercial poaching is clearly behind this stockpiling.
We at Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) immediately mobilized to provide logistical, veterinary, and financial support to our partner in Mexico, Guadalajara Zoo. The effort has been intense, with the zoo’s teams triaging, stabilizing, and providing top-quality care while carefully organizing the turtles by species. Space is limited, but with support from donors around the world, additional housing is on the way.
TSA’s Senior Director of Conservation and Science, Andrew Walde, who is currently on site, reports that the turtles display a range of conditions. Some are alert and engaging in natural behaviors, such as exploring their bins and interacting with bin mates, signs of cautious optimism. Unfortunately, there continues to be sick, weak, or stressed animals, and some further mortality is expected given the conditions in which they were held by traffickers. Species such as the Alamos Mud Turtle (Kinosternon alamosae) have suffered higher losses, making disease testing and careful quarantine a top priority. The team is meticulously avoiding cross-contamination, critical for the long-term recovery of these animals.
The global response to this crisis has been inspiring. To date, 127 individuals and organizations have generously contributed funding to assist the effort. In particular, the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) has pledged $10,000 USD. “We at the DZS are very grateful to the entire TSA team and the Guadalajara Zoo for stepping up to assist and lead during this crisis,” said David Dimitrie, Director of Conservation. “We value all the hard work of TSA as we continue to strengthen our commitment to both turtle conservation and combating the illegal wildlife trafficking crisis.”
The Guadalajara Zoo continues to methodically clean and organize the turtles, placing high-value and smaller individuals in appropriately-sized bins in limited numbers, while allocating larger species to the remaining suitable spaces. Every detail, from feeding to providing hiding spots, is addressed to give these turtles the best chance at survival. Additional materials are being sourced to create safe shelters, and every team member is focused on stabilizing as many animals as possible.
This seizure is a sobering reminder of the threats wild turtles face, but it also highlights the extraordinary efforts of conservationists, veterinarians, and institutions who step up in times of crisis. The collaboration between TSA, the Guadalajara Zoo, and supportive individuals and organizations, like DZS, offers hope that these turtles can survive, contribute to assurance colonies, and eventually return to wild populations.
We will continue to provide updates as the situation develops and more turtles are stabilized.
Header image: Vallarta Mud Turtles (Kinosternon vogti). All photos by Andrew Walde
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