Turtle-trapping Ban Planned in Missouri, Sought in Arkansas
Following a petition by the Center and allies, Missouri this week formally proposed banning all commercial trapping of its most imperiled turtle species, softshells and snapping turtles. And last week — also after Center advocacy — New York banned commercial collection of rare diamondback terrapins, and Nevada halted all commercial reptile collection.
Meanwhile the Center and other groups have just petitioned Arkansas to end unlimited commercial trapping of its wild turtles. More than 126,000 Arkansas freshwater turtles were harvested between 2014 and 2016, a huge blow to struggling populations.
"It's time for Arkansas to adopt common-sense measures to protect its turtles from unchecked exploitation," said Center attorney Elise Bennett.
Read more about our Arkansas petition and the Missouri turtle-trapping ban.