2 US tourists under investigation for allegedly touching protected sea turtle in Taiwan
Two US tourists have been detained in Taiwan for investigation after they were allegedly filmed touching a protected green sea turtle at Xiaoliuqiu, a popular island off Pingtung County.
A 56-year-old man and 54-year-old woman reportedly told authorities that they did not know touching sea turtles was prohibited.
Witness films tourists allegedly touching turtle
Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration (CGA) received a report on Thursday (15 Oct) that foreign visitors had allegedly touched a sea turtle at Vase Rock beach on Xiaoliuqiu.
Officers from the Xiaoliuqiu inspection office went to the scene and met the person who had filmed the incident.
Source: KNews
After reviewing the footage, they located two American citizens whose appearances matched those in the video.
The pair were also taken in for identity checks and questioning.
Source: KNews
Experts later identified the animal as a protected green sea turtle native to Taiwan.
Pair escorted by coast guard to prosecutors
After officers compiled evidence and consulted prosecutors, the individuals were escorted by a coast guard patrol boat from Xiaoliuqiu back to Taiwan’s main island.
They arrived at the Pingtung District prosecutors office, where the case was handed over for further investigation.
The pair also reportedly said that they were unaware of Taiwan’s rules against touching sea turtles.
Touching protected wildlife could result in jail or fine
Under Taiwan’s Wildlife Conservation Act, protected wildlife must not be disturbed, abused, hunted, or killed except under specific permitted circumstances.
Source: CNA
Those found guilty of disturbing or abusing protected wildlife can face up to one year in prison or detention, and/or a fine of between NT$60,000 (around S$2,400) and NT$300,000 (around S$11,800).
If the animal dies, offenders face up to two years in jail and also fines of NT$500,000 (around S$19,700).
Similar incident involving German tourist
The case comes less than a month after authorities investigated another foreign tourist for also allegedly touching a sea turtle on Xiaoliuqiu.
On 21 Sept, a German woman was filmed touching a turtle near Meiren Cave despite another visitor reportedly warning her not to do so.
Coast guard officers later found her and referred the case to Pingtung prosecutors for suspected wildlife law violations.
The coast guard reminded visitors to follow its “no touching, no stepping on, no feeding, and no disturbing” rule when encountering marine wildlife, and also to maintain a respectful distance.
Also read: M’sian man arrested in Taiwan after 10.3kg of marijuana found in his suitcase at airport
M’sian man arrested in Taiwan after 10.3kg of marijuana found in his suitcase at airport
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from KNews and CNA.
