re: Man has 103 box turtles seized by LW&F

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Maybe they did their job and actually spent time observing when they noticed the other inadequacies of his captivity area.

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Exactly right.

Do y'all know how big the area was where 115 turtles were being "cared for"?

Do y'all know that the law regarding personal possession of box turtles was passed over 13 years ago with Dr. Zinn's strong support?

Do y'all know how long his operation has been observed and how long it has been since Dr. Zinn was informed that his "special permit" would not be renewed and why?

Do y'all know that as a Wildlife Rehabilitator, you agree to allow Agency unlimited entrance to your facility (ie. no warrant is required)?

And there is so much more about how and why this became a problem ........ but LDWF will only say "because of on-going legal actions we will not make any comments at this time".

I dunno W. There are some clear violations here- as well as signs the 68 yr. old is a nut.

As to violations:

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Under the state statute prohibiting the exportation of box turtles, all box turtles in Louisiana are considered wild turtles and property of the state.

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Zinn, in an email to Leslie, said that because all of the turtles were either ones he rescued or raised since birth, the term “wild turtles” did not apply to them.

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And to being a little whacky.

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His box turtle population increased over the years as Zinn would dig up the eggs and place them in an incubator in his house.

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When his first special purpose-possession permit was approved on April 20, 2000, it included two caveats: that he not own more than 166 box turtles and he not keep any hatchlings that survived.

Zinn said he has followed those instructions.

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God save the turtle.

He raised them for over 20 years. Why is is suddenly a problem?

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He raised them for over 20 years. Why is is suddenly a problem?

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This

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This whole article reads like a pissing contest that got out of hand.

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And this

We have a 13 month-long deer season where people can kill whatever they want every day with a bazooka, and we are talking about gosh-damned box turtles. I'm gonna swerve and hit one tomorrow.

I've got a colony of ~20 squirrels that are constantly in-fighting. I don't have permits either. Come at me LWFD

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How about helping someone figure out how to get a boat registered without papers in LA instead of white knighting for LDWF?

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I imagine that could be a hassle, but I know people get it done. Come into any LDWF office; there are people that know what you need, or can get you in touch with those that do.

No white-knighting necessary in this turtle case. Y'all just lack the whole story; and LDWF won't tell it until the legal issues are completely settled.

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Box turtles are property of the state?

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Legally, that is exactly right ..... ALL resident wildlife is the property of the state (all the people). That is why you can not kill, harass, or otherwise harm wildlife except under the regulations promulgated by governing bodies with that jurisdiction.

With migratory birds it is even more complicated because "all the people" include those in other states and countries as well, and the federal government (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) has ultimate jurisdiction.

My expertise is migratory birds, and contrary to popular belief, hunting seasons are CLOSED unless justification is provided to open them. That is why the breeding survey, band/recovery, and harvest data are necessary to maintain open waterfowl hunting seasons. There is no "right" to hunt migratory birds regardless of what Louisiana's (or any other State's) constitution might say. From a legal perspective, we are allowed to take private possession of a public owned resource (ie. kill a duck and use it for our own personal purposes) by permission granted by all the "owners" of those birds through regulations passed via a representative government.

The same is true for box turtles, squirrels, bats, raccoons, etc.

I understand regulations.

I also understand that mankind created regulations regarding animals they didn't originate.

Look, I agree with conservation and have taken heat on this board for defending my stance but Jesus, some regulations are downright ridiculous, irrelevant and downright archaic.

The old chemist is being made into an example just because the powers that be have the authority to do so.

Total bullshite.

I'm wild. I'm alive. I'm wildlife.
Born and raised in BTR, I guarantee LDWF doesn't own me.

Hell, I don't even own me.