A Palm Beach County man was cited for keeping Loggerhead sea turtles in a home aquarium.
After receiving a tip from a concerned citizen, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission visited the Jupiter home to find two Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings being kept in a home saltwater aquarium.
According to FWC, the tank owner took the turtles from a canal behind his house earlier this year and reportedly put them in the tank to show his daughter.
The man told officials he intended to release the turtles, but grew attached to them and decided to keep them instead.
Officers seized the turtles and transported them to Loggerhead Marine Life Sanctuary Center. The animals were ultimately released offshore, and the tank owner was cited accordingly.
The Loggerhead sea turtle is classified as a threatened species by the Federal Endangered Species Act. Federal law strictly prohibits taking, selling, transferring, bothering or otherwise harassing Loggerhead turtles, their nests or their eggs.
FWC is reminding people that if you suspect that someone is violating a fish, wildlife, boating or environmental law, report it to FWC's Wildlife Alert Program by texting or emailing Tip@MyFWC.com, calling 888-404-FWCC or dialing *FWC from your cell phone.
