Authorities: Woman Tried to Smuggle Turtles by Kayak

A Florida woman was arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle dozens of turtles across state lines by kayak, authorities said. The incident occurred on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the Perdido River in Alabama.

The woman, identified as 37-year-old Jessica Lynn Johnson of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, was spotted by Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers as she paddled across the river. Johnson had several coolers in her kayak, and officers became suspicious after noticing some movement within the containers. Upon investigation, the officers discovered over 50 live turtles inside the coolers.

“She had quite a few in there,” said Capt. Lee Hardy, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division Chief. “A lot of different kinds of turtles.” The species of turtles recovered included alligator snapping turtles, which are known for their powerful bite and are protected in Alabama.

Johnson claimed she had purchased the turtles from a friend and was taking them back to her home in Florida. However, officials became skeptical, given the quantity of turtles and the apparent lack of proper transport methods. The turtles were found in coolers without adequate ventilation and were in poor condition, according to officials.

“She had a cooler of turtles on each side of the kayak and then one that was sitting upright in the middle. They were all crammed together,” said Officer Josh Todd, one of the conservation officers who apprehended Johnson. “She seemed surprised we even saw her out there, which led us to think she knew what she was doing was wrong.”

Johnson was arrested on charges of illegal transportation of wildlife and violation of endangered species laws. She faces up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. The turtles were confiscated and taken to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for care.

“These turtles are a valuable part of our ecosystem and it is crucial to protect them,” said Hardy. “This is not the first time we’ve had an incident like this. People need to understand that wildlife poaching and smuggling is a serious offense.”

The incident serves as a reminder that the illegal trade of wildlife is a serious issue with significant impacts on local ecosystems. The authorities have expressed their commitment to upholding conservation efforts and enforcing regulations that protect endangered species.