Beware Of Festival Vendors Selling Turtles Illegally
DENVER (CBS4) - Summer festivals may bring out illegal vendors selling what many think are harmless pets like small turtles, but they actually can get people sick.
Vendors often appear on street corners and near big public events. A lot of people don't know baby turtles are illegal. The turtles are cute so they seem easy to sell, but some of them grow to be the size of footballs and buyers realize they can't care for them.
"I mean there's a cool factor involved in it," Brett Neilsen with Rocky Mountain Reptile Rescue said.
Neilsen says many times people buy them without knowing what they're getting into.
"Not a lot of people want to spend $500 to $600 to accommodate their housing needs," he said.
Selling turtles illegally seems to be common practice in Colorado. Last year CBS4 caught some of the vendors on an undercover camera selling baby turtles. It's illegal to sell them less than four inches long.
The Food and Drug Administration says the turtles pose serious health risks to humans, like salmonella poisoning.
"Kids are getting sick from it because kids are putting these guys in their mouths."
It's also dangerous to the turtle. Neilsen says 90 percent of illegally sold turtles are imports and if not properly cared for don't live very long.
"(Of) the 20 or so we rescued last year only half of them made it because of the problems that they had before we even got a hold of it."
It's not just turtles. An alligator which will grow to 14 feet long and up to 1,000 pounds was bought online in Colorado Springs.
Neilsen says to do research before purchasing a reptile.
"Don't get them because they're cute. Don't get them because they're $5. Get them because you want them and you actually want to have a lifelong pet."
Rocky Mountain Reptile Rescue is working with sanctuaries to make sure the animals get proper homes. Most of the turtles will be put up for adoption.
