Instead, it gave them weaker protections, along with three other species of map turtles — Alabama, Escambia and Barbour’s — from poaching and commercial harvest due to their “similarity of appearance” ...

“Mississippi is the core of this species range geographically. We have the highest density of alligator snapping turtles in the Southeast. We must get the information we need and ensure it is ...

Instead, it gave them weaker protections, along with three other species of map turtles — Alabama, Escambia and Barbour’s — from poaching and commercial harvest due to their “similarity of appearance” ...