# Maryland fights illegal turtle trade with K-9 dogs > Maryland uses USDA-trained dogs to track poached turtles and plan releases. - Title: Maryland fights illegal turtle trade with K-9 dogs | Shortify - Summary: Maryland uses USDA-trained dogs to track poached turtles and plan releases. Maryland DNR releases repatriated turtles after verifying populations and plans… - Keywords: maryland, dnr, usda, k-9 dogs, wood turtles, turtle trade, repatriation, wildlife conservation, turtle release, turtle population, reptile trade, illegal trade - Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/community/climate-environment/dnr-illegal-turtle-trade-NFYLXLUBEZGT7EVJRWLD3XMSDY - Author: Cody Boteler - Published: 2026-10-10T09:30:00+00:00 - Read time: 1 min - Topics: maryland, dnr, usda, k-9 dogs, wood turtles, turtle trade, repatriation, wildlife conservation, turtle release, turtle population, reptile trade, illegal trade ## Maryland DNR targets illegal turtle trade Maryland officials work to combat illegal turtle trade through repatriation and new rules. > the turtles were repatriated to maryland after a bust in new york in 2018 ## USDA dogs track poached turtles USDA-trained dogs like sophie find turtles in sandy point state park to verify populations. > sophie, an almost 3-year-old black labrador retriever, bounds around a pavilion at sandy point state park ## 2018 New York bust recovers 292 turtles A 2018 new york bust recovered 292 turtles including 53 wood turtles and 184 spotted turtles. > the turtles were repatriated to maryland after a bust in new york in 2018 ## Wood turtles are endangered Wood turtles native to maryland are endangered with poaching as their biggest threat. > wood turtles, which are native to maryland and other areas along the east coast, are considered endangered ## Illegal trade fuels turtle demand Illegal turtle trade grows due to exotic pet market and traditional chinese medicine demand. > many turtles, and other reptiles, are plucked from the wild and illegally sold because of a growing market for exotic pets ## Turtle repatriation requires testing DNR tests turtles for diseases before releasing them to prevent local population risks. > ellen bronson, senior director of animal health, conservation and research at the maryland zoo in baltimore, said it was important to repeatedly test the turtles for diseases ## Population size affects release strategy DNR considers local turtle population size when deciding where to release repatriated turtles. > a local population of 60 turtles would benefit more from the introduction of six adults than a local population of 120 turtles ## State herpetologist confirms turtle source State herpetologist says turtles from new york bust likely came from maryland’s larger wood turtle populations. > beth schlimm, a state herpetologist, or reptile scientist, said dnr knew that the turtles from the new york bust likely came from one of maryland’s larger wood turtle populations ## USDA dogs verify viable populations USDA dogs help dnr verify turtle populations are large enough for repatriated turtles to survive. > they are much better at finding turtles than us, said brian durkin, a dnr turtle conservation specialist ## DNR plans new turtle collection rules Maryland DNR plans rule change to ban wild turtle collection and possession. > the agency plans to propose a rule change within weeks that would make it illegal to take or possess any reptile or amphibian species that’s native to maryland ## Current rules allow turtle collection Currently, it is legal to collect turtles from wild for pets in maryland. > it’s currently legal for a person to collect a turtle out of the wild to keep as a pet ## Key takeaway Maryland DNR releases repatriated turtles after verifying populations and plans new rules to ban wild turtle collection.