A Chinese national has just been sentenced for trafficking more than 2,100 wild turtles from the U.S. to Hong Kong. Most of them were eastern box turtles which are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 🧵 2. These wild turtles were stolen from American landscapes & packed away in brutal conditions. This conviction sends a message: the illegal wildlife trade won’t be tolerated. Smuggling wildlife is not only cruel, it’s a threat to our ecosystems & our laws: justice.gov/opa/pr/chinese…

.@usfws & CA Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) are aware of a 5-year-old female southern sea otter exhibiting concerning and unusual behaviors in Santa Cruz, California, including repeatedly approaching surfers & kayakers recreating in the area. #thread (1/6) The sea otter is tagged with a radio transmitter & a team from @USFWS, CDFW & Monterey Bay Aquarium is actively monitoring her & will continue to attempt capture when conditions are favorable in the coming days. (2/6)

Great news for wildlife & conservation! 🎉 We’re working with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) to distribute $30 million to animal & plant care facilities that lost 25% of revenue or more due to the COVID-19 pandemic: ow.ly/f0Lb50G9ktK The $30 million was provided to @USFWS via the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. #WildlifeConservation #EndangeredSpecies