Environment

US Tourists Probed for Touching Protected Sea Turtle in Taiwan

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By TaiwanPlus

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Two American tourists are under investigation after allegedly touching a protected green sea turtle on the island of Xiaoliuqiu in southern Taiwan. Coast Guard officers questioned the suspects and transported them to Taiwan’s main island for further investigation. People who violate the Wildlife Conservation Act could face up to one year in prison or fines of up to US$15,000.

Wildlife Conservation Violation

US tourists probed after touching protected sea turtle

Two tourists are facing serious consequences for allegedly molesting a sea turtle on a beach in southern Taiwan.

Local coast guard officers responded to a report Thursday that two people, later identified as US citizens, had touched a protected green sea turtle on the island of Xiaoliuqiu. Despite posted warnings against interfering with the animals, the two were recorded on video touching the turtle’s shell. Officers tracked down the suspects and brought them in for questioning.

REPORTER:
Huang, Hsuan-wei (CHIEF, XIAOLIUQIU FISHING PORT INSPECTION STATION):  
The two American tourists were apprehended at the scene.  
After completing the investigation and consulting  
with prosecutors at the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office  
Coast Guard officers arranged a patrol boat to  
transport the suspects back to Taiwan’s main island.

The two suspects could face up to a year in jail or fines of up to $15,000 US dollars for violating Taiwan’s Wildlife Conservation Act.

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Wildlife Conservation Violation

US tourists probed over sea turtle incident

Two American tourists were investigated for allegedly touching a green sea turtle in Xiaoliuqiu, Southern Taiwan, in violation of the country's Wildlife Conservation Act.

Local Coast Guard officers received a report Thursday that two people, later identified as US citizens, had touched a protected sea turtle at Xiaoliuqiu’s Vase Rock Beach, as shown in a video. After speaking with the person who filmed the incident, officers tracked down the suspects and took them to the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office for questioning.

REPORTER:
Huang, Hsuan-wei (CHIEF, XIAO-LIU-QIU FISHING PORT INSPECTION STATION):  
The two American tourists were apprehended at the scene.  
After completing the investigation and consulting  
with prosecutors at the Pingtung District Prosecutors Office  
Coast Guard officers arranged a patrol boat to  
transport the suspects back to Taiwan on Thursday.

The Act imposes up to two years in prison for disturbing protected wildlife, with fines exceeding US$15,000 if the act intentionally causes the animal’s death.