Wei Qiang Lin, an American man originally from China, is facing deadly serious charges. He illegally exported nearly 850 protected turtles hidden inside stuffed animals because it’s cuter that way. The turtles—mostly eastern box turtles and three-toed box turtles—were all bundled up in socks. They were sent to Hong Kong in more than 200 separate shipments between August 2023 and November 2024. This case underscores the severe and pervasive plight of wildlife trafficking and demand for exotic animals as pets in foreign markets.
On further inspection, law enforcement couldn’t tell if Lin’s shipments were drugs or dangerous products. They found turtles sporting unusual markings on their shells. Both species of turtles are native to the U.S. Demand from the pet trade. People in China highly covet them as pets, seeing them as symbols of status. Because they have enjoyed such popularity, the turtles have been over-harvested through illegal smuggling operations.
Nevertheless, the eastern box turtle is a protected species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The same level of protection goes for the three-toed box turtle. U.S. authorities have estimated that the turtles seized so far could be worth up to $1.4 million (£1 million) in total. Each turtle could fetch up to $2,000 (£1,500) on the illegal international wildlife market.
Beyond the turtles, Lin exported 11 other shipments that included large numbers of reptiles—including venomous snakes. The illegal wildlife trade should frighten us all. It endangers animal populations and human lives.
Lin’s actions not only undermine that spirit but play a part in a much more perverse trend. Just earlier this year, another Chinese national was sentenced to 30 months in prison for smuggling more than 2,000 eastern box turtles. Illegal smuggling of these reptiles reached its height in the 1990s. It’s made a comeback lately due to dramatic increases in demand in niche markets.
Wei Qiang Lin, who was convicted on September 30, now faces a term of imprisonment of up to five years and will be sentenced on December 23. His case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in combating wildlife trafficking and protecting endangered species.