It Was Not Just a Siamese Crocodile... Owner Questioned After Turtle Discovered Also Turns Out to Be Endangered

Following the apprehension of the owner of a Siamese crocodile—a Class 1 internationally endangered species—found near a stream in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, it has been finally confirmed that a turtle he owned is also an endangered alligator snapping turtle.

The Yeoju Police Station in Gyeonggi Province announced today (August 3) that it has additionally booked a man in his 30s, surnamed A, under charges of violating the Wildlife Protection and Management Act.

A is suspected of raising an alligator snapping turtle, classified as a Class 2 internationally endangered species under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), without any official permits.

While A claims that he purchased and raised the alligator snapping turtle a long time ago, police decided to criminally book him on the grounds that unauthorized breeding and failure to register breeding facilities constitute a violation of the law at present, regardless of whether the species was listed under CITES at the time of purchase.

A police official stated, "We were notified by the National Institute of Ecology that the turtle has been confirmed as an alligator snapping turtle, which is a Class 2 internationally endangered species," adding, "We plan to take voluntary surrender of the alligator snapping turtle from the suspect and transfer it to the National Institute of Ecology."


Previously, on July 18, fire authorities captured a crocodile after receiving a report from a resident near Soyang Stream in Chang-dong, Yeoju, who said, "There appears to be something like a pet crocodile."

The reptile was identified as a Siamese crocodile, a Class 1 internationally endangered species. Police launched an investigation into the owner and apprehended A eight days later on July 26, booking him for violating the Wildlife Protection Act.

Police had continued their investigation after also discovering an alligator snapping turtle, known as an ecosystem-disturbing species, inside A's residence.

(Photo provided by Yeoju City, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.