the essential INFO LA DEPECHE. Since April, Jérôme Maran, the manager of the turtle refuge, located in Bessières near Toulouse, has been under investigation. He is also suspected of being at the origin of the spread of a mysterious virus.
Did the management of the Bessière turtle refuge trigger a health crisis? According to the conclusions of the Toulouse prosecutor’s office and the veterinary school, the specimens collected in this refuge could be carrying an exotic parasite “which could cause irreparable environmental damage”, or even a serious health crisis. At this stage, this bacteria is “unknown”. It is not known whether it is really dangerous for other animals. This question was also debated before the investigating chamber of the Toulouse Court of Appeal on August 13. “My client disputes most of the elements. He had the necessary authorizations to release certain turtles in certain places. Everything was supervised”, believes Me Joris Morer, the lawyer of Jérôme Maran, manager of the refuge. This man is notably indicted for “spreading an epizootic”.
This term is used when a disease suddenly strikes several animals.
The investigation carried out jointly by the Central Office for Combating Environmental and Public Health Damage (OCLAESP) and the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB) of Occitanie is detailed.
Shocking testimonies
Former collaborators of the president of this structure, interviewed by the OFB, denounce illegal sales of animals between 2015 and 2023. The shelter had the capacity to accommodate up to 1,600 specimens maximum. “In reality, nearly 4,000 turtles were recovered at certain times,” assures a former volunteer. “This overpopulation promotes the proliferation of bacteria,” analyzes Franck Bonin, a veterinarian (read interview).
Why take in so many specimens? Those who dropped off the turtles at the shelter were reportedly pressured to donate money to the association.
The former collaborators thus accuse Jérôme Maran of having given undeclared reptiles to individuals. “If the shells did not have chips, they could easily disappear. At €100 each, that represented, on average, €8,000 per year in cash,” insists one of the witnesses. When he was short of space, the herpetologist, nationally recognized for his expertise, is said to have sacrificed some unchipped turtles. “They were put in fridges,” says a second witness.
Specimens were also reportedly released into a lake next to the sanctuary, potentially disrupting the local ecosystem. “Normally, new reptiles are quarantined to ensure they don’t carry any germs. But if the turtle had no commercial interest, it could be released directly into the wild,” the source said.
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“No health risk for humans”, according to the veterinarian in charge of the Carnoules turtle village
Trips to the Seychelles and Reunion Island that raise questions
Jérôme Maran, with two accomplices, is said to have pocketed tens of thousands of undeclared euros. When studying the boss’s bank accounts, the courts were surprised by the purchase of plane tickets to the Seychelles and Reunion. The man had not declared receiving any income at that time. He defends himself by indicating that he received an inheritance. Furthermore, these trips were supposedly used to conduct research on reptiles and produce reports. According to the defense, the association was supervised by accountants, “all the balance sheets will be produced,” promises Me Joris Morer.
During the searches, nearly 500 illegal turtles, including “dangerous” species, were recovered. They were then entrusted to the veterinary school in Toulouse.
The health alert was apparently issued by one of these veterinarians, after examining one of the turtles. “This is speculation for the moment,” says Me Joris Morer.
On April 23, Jérome Maran and two others were indicted for “destruction, illegal sale of protected species in an organized gang, mistreatment of animals and the spread of an epizootic disease.” “These suspects risk up to 7 years in prison and a €750,000 fine,” the public prosecutor said in a press release. Caution, however, as the statements of the “whistleblowers” must now be compared with those of the three suspects.
Jérome Maran, assisted by his lawyer Me Joris Morer, responds point by point to all the accusations.
Also read:
The manager of the Bessières turtle shelter, indicted, defends himself: “Everything is false. I have never mistreated an animal”
