Recently, News revealed that a 41 year old Chinese woman was arrested and facing felony charges for trampling on turtle eggs on Miami Beach, Florida. What is puzzling is that when she took her prison photos, she was faced with a smile. After the photos were released, American netizens were extremely indignant. Some netizens said that she should be deported and never be allowed to come back to the United States. What's going on here? Why would she face such a heavy punishment?
According to CNN and other media reports, at about 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, police received a report that a woman was destroying a turtle egg nest in the reserve on a beach in Miami.
After the police arrived at the scene, they saw a woman stabbing the nest of turtle eggs with a wooden stake in her hand, while her feet stepped on the beach above the eggs. The police immediately arrested him.
Yaqun Lu, a 41 year old Chinese citizen, gave police an address in Michigan, according to public police information.
The woman is currently being detained at Turner Guilford Knight correctional centre and faces felony charges of 'selling, disturbing, harassing turtles or turtle eggs'.
Miami Beach police said the Chinese Consulate in Houston had been informed of the incident.
Trample on turtle eggs despite the cordon
Miami Beach is a habitat for red sea turtles, green turtles and leatherback turtles. From May 1 to October 31 each year, turtles climb to the beach to place orders.
During the summer breeding season, turtles lay about 100 eggs on the beach. After laying eggs, they bury them in sand and return to the sea.
Because Miami Beach is also one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States, many people surf here. In order to avoid human activities harming the eggs, animal protection organizations will mark the nests with warning lines and put up warning signs.
Lu Yaqun was arrested for stabbing and trampling on turtle eggs across the cordon, and her bail is now set at $5000.
Under the Endangered Species Act and Florida regulations, it is illegal to 'harm or harass' turtle nests and juveniles. Lu Yaqun is charged with harassing a turtle or turtle egg, which is a third degree felony in Florida and could face a huge fine if convicted.
Prison photos make people angry
However, compared with trampling on turtle eggs, Lu Yaqun caused the anger of American netizens that her prison photos were actually with a smile.