Minnesota law works to protect turtle populations

(St. Paul, MN) --  Minnesota is starting the new year with more protections in place for the state's turtle population.  

State lawmakers acted last year to stop the commercial harvest of western painted turtles and snapping turtles. They also outlawed using traps to catch turtles. Scientists say the long-lived species is vulnerable to overharvesting because of threats from predators, pollution and loss of their natural habitats.