If you suspect someone is illegally collecting or selling wild turtles, here’s what to look out for according to Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC), a nationwide network:

● People with bags, poking around in wetlands and along streams, or flipping over logs and rocks

● Cars parked near forested areas with collection equipment (like nets and containers) visible inside

● Sheets of metal or plywood that have been laid on the ground to attract cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians

● Unmarked traps set in wetlands—traps for research will be clearly marked

● Unattended backpacks or bags left in the woods, along a trail or near roads. Don’t ever open a suspicious bag or container—report it to authorities. Note the exact location, what happened, and who was involved (persons, vehicles, and other witnesses). If it is safe to do so, take photographs that can corroborate your report—for example, the license plate of a vehicle or serial number on a turtle trap

● Do NOT confront suspicious persons or try to stop a crime yourself. Prioritize your safety, and then contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by phone (1–844-FWS-TIPS) or email (fws_tips@fws.gov), or contact your state wildlife agency.