NEWPORT, WA – A common snapping turtle was recently captured along the Pend Oreille River after a resident near Newport found the large reptile and confined it in a pen, prompting a response from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police.

Officer Erickson responded to the scene and confirmed the turtle was a common snapping turtle, a species classified as a Class 3 prohibited aquatic invasive species in Washington. The turtle was taken into custody to prevent its return to the river, and WDFW’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) unit was notified.

Authorities are unsure how the turtle ended up in the Pend Oreille River. Reports last summer noted a snapping turtle sighting just upstream in Idaho, which was not located at the time—raising the possibility that it could be the same individual.

Snapping turtles are not native to Washington and pose risks to native ecosystems, wildlife, and human activity. As an invasive species, they cannot be possessed, released, or transported within the state. WDFW emphasizes the importance of preventing the spread of such species to protect Washington’s waters and wildlife.

Anyone who sees or suspects an aquatic invasive species is urged to call the WDFW AIS hotline at 1-888-WDFW-AIS or email ais@dfw.wa.gov.