Florida: Ray Saunders and Carl Cobb poached more than 500 Loggerhead sea turtle eggs

FLORIDA -- Two men are facing criminal charges for poaching hundreds of sea turtle eggs in St. Lucie County.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrested Raymond Saunders, 50, and Carl Cobb, 60, both of Riviera Beach.

The two are accused of stealing more than 500 Loggerhead sea turtle eggs in a rural beach area of North Hutchinson Island early Wednesday morning. A tip from a nest watch volunteer led to the arrests.

Saunders and Cobb will be in court Thursday morning.

The men are facing third degree Felony charges of possession of more than 11 marine turtle species/eggs and illegal taking/distribution of sea turtle eggs.

Experts reburied the eggs with the hope that they can be hatched.

Sea turtle eggs are considered a delicacy in some cultures, and can be sold for $20 – $30 per dozen.

“There is a market that goes on in this area for illegal harvest of sea turtle eggs, we speculate that may be the motivator for this kind of situation, but all of that will have to be determined as the investigation continues,” said Carol Lynn Parrish with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

While sea turtle egg poaching is not common, Parrish says it’s not unheard of.

In July 2016, FWC arrested 49 year-old Glenn Robert Shaw of Tequesta for allegedly stealing 107 eggs from a nest behind a Jupiter Island home.

These cases, Parrish said, shows the importance of the public remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activity.

People who suspect illegal activity or see injured wildlife can call Florida Fish and Wildlife’s 24 hour hotline at 1-888-404-3922.

Loggerhead Nesting In Florida:
The loggerhead turtle is the most common sea turtle found in Florida. It has a reddish-brown shell and is named for its large head. Adults can weigh between 200 and 350 pounds and can reach 3 feet in length. Loggerheads typically nest in Florida from April to September.

Females return to their nesting beach every two or more years (average 2.7 years) to lay an average of 4.1 clutches, one about every 14 days (Witherington et al. 2006). Each nest contains an average of 114 eggs (Brost et al. 2015).

Laws:
Sea turtles are either endangered or threatened (the loggerhead is the only species that has a population high enough to be only threatened in Florida). They are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 and  Florida's Marine Turtle Protection Act (379.2431, Florida Statutes).

Florida Statutes (F.A.C. Rule 68E-1) restrict the take, possession, disturbance, mutilation, destruction, selling, transference, molestation, and harassment of marine turtles, nests or eggs.  Protection is also afforded to marine turtle habitat.

A specific authorization from Commission staff is required to conduct scientific, conservation, or educational activities that directly involve marine turtles in or collected from Florida, their nests, hatchlings or parts thereof, regardless of applicant's possession of any federal permit.

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Carl Lawrence Cobb
Gender: Male
Arrest Age:60
Date:05/24/2017
Time: 5:55 PM
Total Bond: $7500
Charges

1. A Person,firm Or Corp That Illegally Possess More Than 11 Marine Turtle Eggs. BOND: $3750
2. Any Person That Illegally Takes Distrubs Mutilates Destroys Causes To Be Destroyed Transfers Sells Offer To Sell Molest Or Harrasses Any Marine Turtle Species Nest Eggs. BOND: $3750

PREVIOUS ARRESTS:

Full Name: Carl Lawrence Cobb
Date:01/07/2010
Time: 8:29 PM
Arresting Agency: PBSO
Arrest Age:53
Current Age: 60
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 08/22/1956
Block: 1400 W 36th St
City: West Palm Beach, Florida 33404
Charges

1. SHOPLIFTING-PETIT FROM MERCHANT 2ND OR SUBSQ OFF. STATUTE: 812.015-2801
2. CRIMES AGAINST PERSON-RESIST PROP RECOVERY RETAIL MERCHANT OR FARMER. STATUTE: 812.015-2804

Full Name: Carl Lawrence Cobb
Date:06/23/2010
Time: 2:37 AM
Arresting Agency: PBSO
Personal Information
Arrest Age:53
Current Age: 60
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 08/22/1956
Block: 1400 W 36th St
City: West Palm Beach, Florida 33404
Charges

1. FAILURE TO APPEAR-FAILURE TO APPEAR. STATUTE: 843.15-3163
1. NOTES: FTA FOR ARR: CT1} RETAIL THEFT BOND: $150
2. NOTES: CT2} RESISTING MERCHANT BOND: $150 DIV/NB JDG/ JOHNSON

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Raymond Lamar Saunders
Date:05/24/2017
Time: 5:39 PM
Agency: St. Lucie County, Florida
Total Bond: $7,500
Charges

1. A Person,firm Or Corp That Illegally Possess More Than 11 Marine Turtle Eggs BOND: $3,750 
2. Any Person That Illegally Takes Distrubs Mutilates Destroys Causes To Be Destroyed Transfers Sells Offer To Sell Molest Or Harrasses Any Marine Turtle Species Nest Eggs. BOND: $3,750 

Previous arrests:
Full Name: Raymond Lamar Saunders
Arrest Age:41
Current Age: 50
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 02/26/1967
Block: 1400 W 29th St City: West Palm Beach, Florida 33404
Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Date:02/03/2009
Time: 4:58 PM
Arresting Agency: RIVIERA BEACH
Charges
#1 TRESPASSING-PROPERTY NOT STRUCTURE OR CONVEY STATUTE: 810.09-2773

Full Name: Raymond Lamar Saunders 

Arrest Age:44
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 02/26/1967
Block: 2500 Westchester Dr City: Riviera Beach, Florida 33407 Date:03/19/2011 Time: 5:49 PM
Arresting Agency: RIVIERA BEACH Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Charges

1. LOITERING - OR PROWLING STATUTE: 856.021-3246 

Full Name: Raymond Lamar Saunders
Arrest Age:47
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 02/26/1967
Block: 1100 W 29th St City: Riviera Beach, Florida 33404
Date:04/20/2014
Arresting Agency: RIVIERA BEACH
Location: Palm Beach County, Florida
Total Bond: $3,000
Charges

1. TRESPASSING - FAIL TO LEAVE PROPERTY UPON ORDER BY OWNER STATUTE: 810.09-2774 
2. COCAINE-POSSESS - POSSESS COCAINE STATUTE: 893.13-5330 BOND: $3,000 

Full Name: Raymond Lamar Saunders
Date:09/04/2014
Time: 11:25 AM
Arresting Agency: PBSO
Arrest Age:47
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 02/26/1967
Block: 1400 W 29th St City: West Palm Beach, Florida 33404
Location: Palm Beach County, Florida
Charges

1. BOOKED - RE-COMMIT STATUTE: 0004 

 (WINK News - May 26, 2017)

Florida: Sheriff's officers save sea turtle tangled in crab trap

FLORIDA -- Thank you to Deputy McBride and Detective Carey for saving this sea turtle in distress a couple of days ago. The turtle was tangled in a crab trap and tethered by a rubber spear gun band. Great job!

 

 

Florida: Red tide-affected turtle rescued by Lee County deputy

FLORIDA -- Sometimes an apprehension for a Lee County deputy is more than cuffing a miscreant.

In the case of Lee County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ryan Justham, the apprehension was the capture of a sea turtle off Upper Captiva Island on Saturday.

It was later determined that the animal was suffering the effects of exposure to red tide.

According to a public information officer for the LCSO, the deputies were called when the turtle was spotted off shore near Barnacle Phil's Restaurant on Point House Trail.

A restaurant worker said that the animal could be seen floundering in the water just off the restaurant and it was obvious that it was distressed, so they called around and were put in touch with the sheriff's office.

Marine Unit deputies Justham and Chris Lusk responded, corralled the turtle and transported it back to Captiva Island.

"When I arrived at Barnacle Phil’s the turtle was on the beach and not very active, so I was able to pick it up and carry it to the boat," Justham said.

The deputy added that there were no obvious signs of injury to the animal, however it was only moving it's head and the actions appeared to be extremely labored.

The turtle was turned over to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife animal rescue center for treatment.

On Sunday,  Kenny Howell, spokesman for CROW, said that the adult green sea turtle weighed 52 pounds and arrived at the organization's rehabilitation center depressed, pale and was having difficulty breathing.

The turtle had a single small fibropapilloma, a common disease that causes tumors to cover a turtle's body and impedes vision, mouth and movement, Howell said.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, for an unknown reason the frequency of fibropapilloma is much higher in green turtles than in other species.

"It is believed that the sea turtle has Brevitoxicosis," Howell said via an email. The affliction is related to red tide.

"Overall, the turtle is in great body condition and being provided supportive care (food, water) and being monitored closely," he added.

The prognosis for the animal is positive and it is expected to be released in the near future.

Justham said the rescue was not his first.

"As a member of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit I’ve rescued multiple animals, to include multiple manatees, pelicans, anhingas (diving ducks) and a raccoon from a channel marker.," he said. "Also, a large cow stranded on an island in the Caloosahatchee."

(News Press - Oct 31, 2016)

Cayman Islands: Nesting turtle rescued from poachers

CAYMAN ISLANDS -- A large nesting turtle was rescued after being dragged off a West Bay beach by poachers – the fifth recorded instance of suspected turtle poaching this year.

Responding to a tip from a member of the public, in the early hours of Wednesday, Chief Conservation Officer Mark Orr followed drag marks in the sand leading off the beach and into the bushes where he found the turtle lying on its back with its flippers tied together.

The turtle, which had previously been tagged by researchers, was released and returned to the ocean but the culprits were not caught. Mr. Orr said they were not on the scene when he found the turtle.

“I am not sure if I disturbed them in the act as I was searching on the beach or if they had pulled the turtle up out of sight and gone to get a truck or some assistance in carrying it off,” he said.

Mr. Orr said the latest incident was particularly concerning as it appeared to be a case of poachers strategically targeting a nesting beach, rather than an opportunist crime.

“There is no other reason for them to have been on that beach at that time of night,” he added.

The Department of Environment has enforcement officers policing the beaches overnight during nesting season while researchers are also out gathering data and providing information on alleged incidents of poaching.

Mr. Orr said there were at least two other incidents in which poachers had been scared off this year and two more in which they appeared to have been successful.

He said enforcement officers had discovered drag marks where the turtles had been taken off the beach and were also investigating reports of black market turtle meat being sold.

He said his officers were actively patrolling beaches where poaching activity was suspected.

Offenders face the possibility of fines of up to $500,000, the confiscation of their equipment and up to four years in jail.

He added, “These are people that don’t care about our heritage or our wildlife. They are simply looking for fast, easy bucks.”

This incident had a happy ending. The turtle returned to the beach the following night to lay its nest.

“We sat up all night, keeping watch while she nested,” Mr. Orr said. “Seeing her head back to the sea safely was a beautiful feeling.”

Nesting turtles typically lay three to six times in nests during a season, returning to the same beach each time. This turtle had previously been tagged by researchers and had laid two nests during the season.

(Cayman Compass - Aug 11, 2016)

Australia: Sea turtle in distress plucked out of ocean by marine patrol, taken to wildlife rehabilitator

AUSTRALIA -- A routine patrol turns into a marine wildlife rescue and the crew at Volunteer Marine Rescue Victoria Point have done an amazing job, as always!

This marine sea turtle was seen floundering in the ocean, clearly in distress. They caught up to the turtle and hauled it aboard. After a quick examination, they took it to shore to deliver it to a wildlife officer for transport to a marine animal rehabilitation facility.

These hardworking volunteers don't just save human lives, they also have a hand in protecting our wonderful Moreton Bay as well!

 

 

 

  

 

 

(Volunteer Marine Rescue Victoria Point Facebook - Aug 6, 2016)

Florida: Adrian Andre Morales-Corrales, 19, caught digging into a turtle nest on the beach to steal eggs

FLORIDA -- A Cape Coral man is accused of stealing a turtle egg this week from a sea turtle nest on Sanibel.

Adrian Andre Morales-Corrales, 19, of 2111 N.E. 24th Terrace, was arrested and charged Wednesday with conservation animals possess 11 or fewer marine turtle eggs, according to booking records.

As of Thursday, he remained in custody at the Lee County Jail on no bond.

At about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sanibel police were in the area of Bowman's Beach near Silver Key when a man was observed on his hands and knees over a sea turtle nest. A police report states that the man, later identified as Morales-Corrales, saw police drawing closer and walked toward the officer.

When the officer stopped next to him, Morales-Corrales asked if it was OK to dig in a turtle nest. The officer told Morales-Corrales that it was not OK and asked if he had been digging in the turtle nest.

Morales-Corrales reportedly stated that he had only taken one egg.

He then opened the front pocket of a backpack that he was carrying and removed one egg from it, according to the report. Morales-Corrales was taken into custody for possession of a turtle egg.

The officer noted that the nest was marked with yellow tape and stakes with warning signs.

Photographs were taken of the egg and the disturbed nest before the egg was reburied.

Morales-Corrales was transported to the Sanibel Police Department, where he provided a statement.

He was then moved to the Lee County Jail, where he was booked on the misdemeanor count.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were notified. The police report was forwarded to federal prosecutors for violation of two U.S. codes.

The report states that officials at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service later advised the Sanibel Police Department that the case would remain at the local level and that federal charges would not be sought.

Morales-Corrales has a court appearance scheduled for Aug. 9.

Full Name: Adrian Andre Morales-corrales
Date of arrest: 07/20/2016
Time: 7:00 PM
Arresting Agency: SPD (Lee County)
Personal Information
Arrest Age:19
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 01/06/1997
Address: 2100 NE 24th Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33909
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 145 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown

Charges
#1 CONSERVATION-ANIMALS (POSSESS 11 OR FEWER MARINE TURTLE EGGS 1ST OFF)

(Cape Coral Daily Breeze - July 21, 2016)