Poaching turtles in B.C. nets Albertans more than $1K in fines

Three couples from Alberta have been fined more than $1,000 after admitting to catchingturtles from a B.C. lake.

Mounties spotted the couples fishing at a small, roadside lake north of Cranbrook, and when police investigated further, found it was western painted turtles they were after rather than fish.

Theturtles are a species of special concern, according to theCommittee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada,meaningtheymay become a threatened or an endangered species

"They had 15 of these small turtles," said conservation officer Jeff Scott.

"It's a concern people think they can come to the province and remove wildlife and take it for their own personal use."

Scott said the couples were apologetic and wanted the turtlesas pets for themselves and friends.

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