The Forest Department’s Wildlife Crime Control Unit has seized 50 illegally imported Red-eared Slider turtles from an indoor playground in Dhaka that had been selling the invasive species to children after painting their shells for added attraction.
Officials said Disney Plus Indoor Playground had been bringing in the turtles from China without the necessary permission from the Forest Department. The establishment allegedly painted the turtles’ shells to make them more appealing to children and sold them for Tk600 each.
During a raid on Thursday evening, the Wildlife Crime Control Unit confiscated the turtles and said legal action would be taken against the business for violating wildlife protection and import regulations.
“This species is extremely harmful to Bangladesh’s ecosystem,” wildlife inspector Abdullah As Sadique said. “The Red-eared Slider is an invasive species that competes with native turtles for food and habitat, posing a serious threat to local biodiversity.”
The Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), native to North America, has been banned for import in several countries due to its destructive ecological impact. Once released into local water bodies, the species multiplies rapidly and outcompetes native species, disrupting aquatic ecosystems.
Authorities have urged pet sellers and the public to avoid trading or keeping invasive wildlife species and to report any illegal sales to the Forest Department.
