22 Florida Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina) and Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina Carolina) have just been transferred to the Turtle Island Conservation Centre and Cuora Conservation Centre in Austria. They are joining programmes for these species.

In August 2015, 95 live freshwater turtles were smuggled into Hong Kong through five inbound air parcels, including Florida Box Turtles, Eastern Box Turtles and American wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta). Upon referral from the Hongkong Post, the Customs screened the air parcels, which were declared as "used books" and sent from Los Angeles, the United States, via Narita, Japan, to Hong Kong. Under X-ray inspection, the parcels appeared to contain something suspicious. The Customs then opened them and found the turtles inside. The total value of the turtles was estimated at HK$95,000, which means around HK$1,000 per turtle. All were destined for the illegal pet trade in threatened species.

Both Florida Box Turtles and Eastern Box Turtles are classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species.

The case was handed over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) for further investigation. On the 10th September 2015, the turtles were transferred to KFBG for temporary holding on behalf of AFCD, and the search for long-term rehoming options was started.


The animal keeper cleaned the turtle up.

Florida Box Turtles inhabit open woodlands, pastures and marshy meadows, and are often found near streams and ponds. Eastern box turtles can be found in open grasslands, pastures, under fallen logs or in moist ground. Both species are classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Endangered Species and are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).


The keepers put the turtles into a bag according to the species.

Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of HK$10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.


The keepers were counting the turtles before they closed the lid.