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Turkish law enforcement intercepted 500 red-eared slider turtles concealed in luggage aboard an intercity passenger bus, officials said, marking another case in the country's ongoing battle against illegal wildlife trafficking.
Gendarmerie Command teams discovered the prohibited reptiles during a routine inspection on the Anatolian Highway in Bolu province. The turtles were packed inside a single bag stored in the bus's luggage compartment.
Red-eared sliders, native to the southern United States and northern Mexico, are classified as an invasive species in Türkiye. Turkish law prohibits their import, possession and commercial trade due to their threat to native ecosystems. The semi-aquatic turtles compete with indigenous species for food and habitat, and have been linked to ecological disruption in waterways across multiple continents.
Authorities transferred the seized animals to the Environmental Protection and Animal Welfare Team, known by its Turkish acronym HAYDI, which placed them under protection before handing them over to the Provincial Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.
Officials have launched a criminal investigation into one suspect connected to the case. The investigation remains ongoing.
The seizure comes as Türkiye continues to strengthen enforcement against wildlife smuggling, with gendarmerie forces conducting regular checks on major transportation routes.
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