Woman arrested for stomping on sea turtle nest at Florida beach
MIAMI BEACH, Florida (USA) — The sea turtle nest was in a closed-off area of Miami Beach, ringed by wooden stakes, yellow tape and a “Do Not Disturb” sign.
A baby sea turtle crawls to the sea.
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MIAMI BEACH, Florida (USA) — The sea turtle nest was in a closed-off area of Miami Beach, ringed by wooden stakes, yellow tape and a “Do Not Disturb” sign.
But these measures weren’t enough to deter a woman from jabbing the nest with a wooden stake and stomping on it barefooted, actions which were reportedly seen by police and witnesses on Saturday (June 15) morning.
Lu Yaqun, 41, a Chinese citizen with an address in Michigan, was subsequently arrested and faces a charge of marine turtle or egg molestation or harassment, reported CNN.
According to the Tribune News Service, Miami Beach police said Lu is being held on a US$5,000 (S$6,850) bond. The Chinese consulate in Houston was also notified of her arrest.
Several species of sea turtles are protected under the 1973 US Endangered Species Act, as well as Florida law, making it illegal to touch or harm them or their eggs.
Miami Beach is a nesting habitat for three such protected species of sea turtles — the loggerhead, green and leatherback — who nest there from April to early November.
“Thankfully, it appears the eggs were not damaged,” said police. AGENCIES
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