LAKE WORTH BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A Facebook Marketplace post advertising a “rare turtle shell” for $2,700 led FWC officers to a Lake Worth Beach home and a protected species investigation.
The listing described the item as a “rare turtle shell” and claimed it was in “perfect condition,” with a price tag of $2,700. Investigators say photos in the post showed what appeared to be an Atlantic hawksbill sea turtle shell.
Atlantic hawksbill sea turtles are protected under Florida’s Marine Turtle Protection Act and the federal Endangered Species Act.
The hawksbill sea turtle is the rarest sea turtle species that regularly occurs in Florida, according to wildlife officials. They’re known for their patterned shells, which were historically used to make jewelry, hair ornaments and other decorative items. The trade is now banned in the United States…