Wed Sep 25 07:58:39 UTC 2024: ## New Jersey Welcomes Home 38 Confiscated Box Turtles
**NORTHERN NEW JERSEY** – In a heartwarming celebration of conservation, 38 box turtles, confiscated from the illegal wildlife trade, were released back into their native New Jersey woodlands on a recent August morning.
The event, a collaboration between The Turtle Conservancy and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, marked a significant milestone in the fight against wildlife trafficking. The rescued turtles, once destined for the black market in Hong Kong, were carefully selected for release after DNA testing confirmed their origin in the state.
“Getting animals back in the wild is like the holy grail of conservation,” said Maurice Rodrigues, co-founder of The Turtle Conservancy. “Preserving them in the wild and putting them back in the wild – you can’t get any better.”
The turtles, prized for their beauty and falsely touted for medicinal purposes, are highly sought after in the illegal trade. “Their value in the black market has skyrocketed,” Rodrigues explained.
The release, a culmination of years of dedicated efforts, signifies a new approach to returning confiscated turtles to their rightful home. Each turtle was fitted with a radio transmitter to monitor their movements, providing valuable data for future conservation strategies.
“We’re going to hike about 10 or so minutes back into the woods,” explained Brian Zarate, a principal zoologist with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. “It’s a quick in-and-out trip.”
The group, including Zarate’s 8-year-old son Max, trekked into the woods and released the turtles in a small clearing. Cheers erupted as the turtles ambled into their natural habitat.
“This is the beginning of something kind of amazing,” said Rodrigues, who hopes the success of this release will inspire similar efforts in other states and provinces.
“These are animals that live longer than us humans,” he added, highlighting the importance of safeguarding these long-lived creatures. The release was a victory for conservation and a testament to the dedication of individuals and organizations working to protect wildlife.
First Piper 