A Chinese national is under investigation for allegedly handling a sea turtle on Siaoliouciou (小琉球) over the weekend.
The man, surnamed Liu (劉), was visiting the island on Sunday when he allegedly violated conservation laws by touching a protected sea turtle. He claimed the contact was accidental, saying the animal had been pushed toward him by the waves.
However, the Coast Guard Administration (CGA) referred the case to the Pingtung District Prosecutors’ Office on suspicion of violating Article 18 of the Wildlife Conservation Act (野生動物保育法).
Photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Administration.
The incident raised concern among local residents, who noted that warning signs prohibiting contact with sea turtles are posted throughout the area.
The CGA said those found disturbing protected marine wildlife can face up to one year in prison, detention or a fine of up to NT$300,000, adding that foreign nationals are subject to the same penalties.
The agency’s Southern Branch said the Siaoliouciou Inspection Office received a report at 4:21 pm on Sunday that a person had touched a sea turtle near Vase Rock, a well-known coastal landmark popular with tourists.
The report included video footage. Coast guard officers later tracked down and detained the suspect near the shoreline at the site. After reviewing the footage, officers determined that the man had made close physical contact with the turtle.
They subsequently identified a tourist whose clothing matched that seen in the footage and brought him in for questioning. He was confirmed to be a 50-year-old Chinese national who had entered Taiwan legally on a family visit permit.
Liu said he had been admiring the scenery when a wave pushed the turtle toward him, prompting him to move it away. However, as physical contact was clearly visible in the footage, the case was referred to prosecutors, the agency said.
Siaoliouciou is one of Taiwan’s best-known habitats for protected sea turtles. Public-awareness videos are played on ferries serving the island, and conservation signs on beaches warn visitors not to touch or disturb the animals.
The CGA’s Southern Branch urged the public to follow three rules when encountering wildlife: do not touch, do not disturb and do not feed.
Under the Wildlife Conservation Act, harassing protected marine wildlife is punishable by up to one year in prison, detention or a fine of up to NT$300,000. People who witness suspected disturbances can report incidents by calling the CGA hotline at 118, the agency said.
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