Page 42 - 2021 JAN/FEB Outdoor Oklahoma Magazine

and was setting its sights on the prehistoric spoonbill as Then something helped change that. An incidental phone
the next source for a caviar replacement. The multi-state call from a suspicious motel manager in Mannford would
crime-ring with international connections was engaged in lead to what might be the largest financial wildlife penalty
netting and snagging for the larger, egg-producing females ever imposed on a poacher in Oklahoma’s history.
of that species, and the illegal operation was shut down by Over several days, the motel manager noticed how an
Game Wardens from numerous states in a well-coordinat- Arkansas man had been covering the tab for another man
ed, nationwide effort led by USFWS agents. and his family also staying there in another room. Throughout
When Game Wardens begin their career,
they hope to make a difference that contrib-
utes to a greater cause. Joining the A-team to An incidental phone call from a suspicious
protect our state’s fish, wildlife and other nat- motel manager in Mannford would
ural resources means signing up to serve on
the front lines with ODWC. But Game Wardens’ lead to the largest financial wildlife
efforts and contributions are generally thought penalty ever imposed on a poacher in
of on a local scale, not internationally. Game
Wardens combat poaching at every turn but Oklahoma’s history.
usually focus on fishing and hunting activities.
Those species commonly pursued by sportsmen
not only receive much of the consumptive pres-
sure from people but also the corresponding
regulatory and publicity attention.
So, along comes this discreet, little, unassum-
ing species Terrapene carolina triunguis, the three-
toed box turtle, crawling along, minding its own business.
Like many other thousands of nongame wildlife species, it
quietly and without fanfare fills its niche in nature’s web of
life. Since learning about the feds’ interest in turtles at that
meeting, the District 1 wildlife officers hadn’t had much luck
capturing nearly enough “undercover turtles” to help initiate their stay of sev-
a sting operation. And with all the other activities that con- eral days, the solo
sume a Game Warden’s time and attention, this request had tenant had politely
sort of fallen off the radar. requested housekeeping
not enter their rooms. But
CarloS GomeZ/oDWC on their rooms condition.
finally, after most of a week, the manager needed to check

While the rooms were unoccupied, the innkeeper
peeked inside. Disheveled rooms were common to see,
but she couldn’t help but notice the stacks of large,
clear-plastic containers and lids. Bags of wood shavings
were also piled up in another corner. Then, suddenly,
something moved.
Startled by eerie scratching noises, the manager’s atten-
tion was drawn to a stack of tubs with holes cut in them.
Turtles, lots of turtles, were struggling to move about within
the clear covered boxes.
The manager knew nothing about wildlife laws, but
she knew this wasn’t right and promptly called a local
police officer.
The police officer knew Karlin Bailey, the local Game
Warden for Creek County, and gave him a call. Bailey
gathered initial information from motel staff and police
then surveyed the motel layout and considered his sur-
veillance options. He also realized he might have just
lucked into an illegal, commercial-size trafficking oper-
ation and decided to call for assistance. He knew his
Mannford motel manager became aware of multiple storage tubs of Game Warden neighbor in Tulsa County, Carlos Gomez,
captured box turtles being held captive in a motel room, and officers had investigated a couple of turtle traffickers in the Tulsa
were notified of the discovery.
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