NEWPORT, Wash. – Snapping turtles are a prohibited species in Washington. Despite this, one common snapping turtle was found along the Pend Oreille River and had to be removed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police.
WDFW responded to a call along the Pend Oreille River in Newport from a person who had found the large turtle and put it in a pen so that it could not get away to the river.
After confirming the turtle’s identity as a common snapping turtle, the Aquatic Invasive Species unit was notified. Meanwhile, WDFW took possession of the turtle to restrain it from returning to the river.
Snapping turtles are a Class 3 prohibited species in Washington, which means that they cannot be possessed, introduced or trafficked into the state.
Nobody knows how the turtle made its way into the Pend Oreille River, according to the WDFW Police, but they said that swimmers reported one last summer just upstream in Idaho.
The turtle who was swimming last summer was never found, and WDFW hope that this is that same turtle.
WDFW said that people who want to report an aquatic invasive species can call WDFW’s Aquatic Invasive Species hotline at 1-888-WDFW-AIS or email ais@dfw.wa.gov.
