Poaching turtles in B.C. nets Albertans more than $1K in fines
Couples apologetic after saying they wanted them for pets
Three couples from Alberta have been fined more than $1,000 after admitting to catching turtles from a B.C. lake.
Mounties spotted the couples fishing at a small, roadside lake north of Cranbrook, and when police investigated further, found it was western painted turtles they were after rather than fish.
The turtles are a species of special concern, according to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, meaning they may become a threatened or an endangered species
"They had 15 of these small turtles," said conservation officer Jeff Scott.
"It's a concern people think they can come to the province and remove wildlife and take it for their own personal use."
Scott said the couples were apologetic and wanted the turtles as pets for themselves and friends.
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