Wildlife

Photos: Hundreds of turtles discovered at Anchorage airport

Inspectors with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Service made an unusual discovery at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport in September: more than 200 live baby turtles.

Most of the turtles belonged to species that are protected from illegal poaching and export, according to Fish and Wildlife officials. The reptiles were stuffed into boots, hidden away inside luggage bound for China, according to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa, one of the facilities to receive some of the animals. Most of the turtles remain at the Anchorage Museum, where they are being cared for until federal officials find homes for them.

Sixteen turtles have already been sent to Iowa, including North American wood turtles, Blanding's turtles, and loggerhead musk turtles, according to NMRMA's director of living collections, Andy Allison. Allison said his museum is working with other animal sanctuaries to take in more of the turtles.

Read more: Hundreds of turtles discovered at Anchorage airport

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