bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

The Washington Post

Apparently it was not so much the art work itself that puzzled Customs inspectors at Dulles International Airport earlier this month, it was where the paint had been applied: to the shells of turtles.
According to US Customs and Border Protection, its inspectors “have seen some interesting things” in passenger baggage at Dulles, but the four baby turtles with the painted shells “was a new one”.
In a statement, Customs reported that a family of American citizens returning from China made a declaration at Dulles about the baby turtles with the painted backs.

Each of the turtles was covered by a painted design. It was not immediately obvious whether the reptiles were admissible, Customs said.
So the quartet was referred for agricultural assessment.
It should be pointed out that these were turtles that had been painted, rather than the species known as the Painted Turtle.
Customs said an inspector from the US Fish and Wildlife Service asked Customs to detain the immigrant animals for examination.
Hong Kong is second largest market for endangered turtle
On the next day, a wildlife service inspector removed the paint, and scrutinised the new arrivals.
An identification was made. The baby animals were determined to be red-eared slider turtles.
On the website Wide Open Pets, the red-eared slider is listed as one of 10 types of turtle that people can have as pets.
It is found in nature over a wide area of the United States.
Two turtles thrown from same building as Victoria Harbour dog
In a statement, Customs said turtles imported as pets require import permits. It said the fish and wildlife service issued a one-time permit, along with a warning. The turtles were released to the family, Customs said.
In its statement, Customs said turtles pose public health concerns as young turtles are especially susceptible to carrying salmonella.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) connected a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella Agbeni infections last year to pet turtles, Customs said.
But the Wide Open Pets website listed at least one reason why a red-eared slider might make a desirable pet: They live a long time.
“They can live anywhere from 50-70 years,” the pet website said.

However, it is not clear how the animals will be affected by their detention at Dulles. If they were aware of it.
“As pets,” the Wide Open Pets website said, “red-eared sliders can be slow to trust.”
However, the website said, they do “become personable with time.”
It should be noted that several authorities criticise the practice of painting the shells of turtles. Apparently the paint prevents the ability of the animals to absorb needed nutrients, and may cause toxins to enter the bloodstream.


Where does the Shiba Inu hunting dog come from? Learn about the Japanese breed’s birth

So what if some countries have fewer babies and shrinking populations?

Furry friends in restaurants a big step towards a pet-friendly Hong Kong

Puppy Bowl XXII aims to help old dogs find new families too

Pets

Arrival from China of turtles with painted shells causes US airport quandary

The arrival at Dulles International Airport this month of four baby turtles with painted backs caused a bit of a customs quandary, officials said. Photo: US Customs and Border Protection photo

turtle

turtle 3

Actors and activists fight for endangered green sea turtles’ nesting site in Hong Kong

A green sea turtle lays eggs on Sham Wan beach in Lamma Island.

Actress Sharon Kwok photographed at the Turtle Beach, Lamma Island. 14JUN18 [FEATURES] SCMP / Roy Issa

In 2012, Raymond Man from AquaMeridiafilmed a turtle laying eggs on Sham Wan beach. handout

Chinese actor Liu Ye raising awareness about green sea turtles in China for WildAid. Photo Wu Jiang

The sandy beach at Sham Wan, Lamma Island, is the only regular nesting site of green turtles in Hong Kong. The restricted period is from 1 June to 31 October. SCMP Pictures (UNDATED HANDOUT)

(left to right): Actress Sharon Kwok and Robert Lockyer poses for a photo with the Aquameridian t-shirt at the Turtle Beach, Lamma Island. Aquameridian Conservation & Education Foundation, a non-profit organisation co-founded by Actress Sharon Kwok. 14JUN18 [FEATURES] SCMP / Roy Issa

Restricted Area NO ENTRY sign for the Wild Animals Protection Ordinance at the Turtle Beach, Lamma Island. 14JUN18 [FEATURES] SCMP / Roy Issa

Falling numbers of Hong Kong sea turtles

Volunteers take part in Lamma Beach clean up. Facebook

Chinese flight attendant who tried to smuggle dozens of turtles from LA pleads guilty

Huaqian Qu, a Chinese national who worked for China Eastern Airlines, faces up to five years in prison. Photo: AFP

This photo provided by Katrina Smith of the Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society shows an Eastern Box turtle. Turtles may seem like the perfect low-maintenance pet _ less work than dogs and cats and more interactive than fish. And they can make wonderful pets. But experts say you should know what you're getting into first and how much work will be involved. (Katrina Smith/Mid-Atlantic Turtle & Tortoise Society via AP)

News

World

United States & Canada

It was not immediately clear to Customs officials at Dulles International Airport whether the reptiles were admissible


Arrival from China of turtles with painted shells causes US airport quandary

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}It was not immediately clear to Customs officials at Dulles International Airport whether the reptiles were admissible

It was not immediately clear to Customs officials at Dulles International Airport whether the reptiles were admissible