Zach Abrahamsson – Warden's Watch

A quiet back road, a string of dead turtles, and a community determined to protect local wildlife. Conservation Officer Zach Abrahamsson joins Warden’s Watch to tell the incredible story behind “The Turtle Trap,” an investigation that used a toy turtle decoy to catch a suspect responsible for a shocking act of wildlife cruelty. From citizen observations to undercover surveillance, this episode highlights the challenges of proving wildlife crimes and the importance of protecting vulnerable species.

Our Sponsors:

Thin Green Line Podcast

Don Noyes Chevrolet

North American Game Warden Museum

“A Cowboy in the Woods” Book

Iron Skillet Seasonings

Maine Operation Game Thief

New Hampshire Operation Game Thief

Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania

North East Conservation Law Enforcement Chiefs Association

International Wildlife Crimestoppers

North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association

Here’s what we discuss:

Wayne welcomes Zach Abrahamsson from New Hampshire Fish and Game.
The case begins on Bog Road in Hillsboro, New Hampshire.
Residents install turtle crossing signs to protect nesting turtles.
The signs begin disappearing.
Someone leaves a handwritten message demanding the signs be removed.
Witnesses notice a local resident repeatedly driving a side-by-side up and down the road.
Dead turtles begin appearing along a short stretch of roadway.
Concerned citizens carefully track the number of turtles being found.
Fifteen turtles are found dead over a short period.
A nesting turtle catches the attention of nearby residents.
Witnesses watch as a man picks up the turtle, places it in the road, and stomps on it.
The injured turtle survives and is rushed to a licensed rehabilitator.
The turtle is expected to make a full recovery.
Hillsboro Police contact Fish and Game to investigate.
Zach discusses New Hampshire’s wildlife cruelty law.
Officers begin planning a proactive operation.
Fellow officer James Benvenuti suggests using a toy turtle as a decoy.
“My son has this toy turtle.”
The realistic decoy is placed along the road.
Officers hide nearby and wait.
A passing vehicle unintentionally disrupts part of the operation.
Zach spends several tense moments hiding behind a large boulder.
“My heart was pounding.”
The suspect spots the decoy turtle.
He turns around and deliberately drives over it.
The action is captured on video.
The suspect immediately heads home afterward.
Officers explain the difference between circumstantial evidence and proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Zach breaks down how wildlife cases are built for court.
The chargeable offense centers on the turtle that witnesses observed being stomped.
The decoy operation helps reinforce the investigative findings.
Zach explains the difference between felony and misdemeanor wildlife cruelty charges.
The discussion turns to officer discretion and appropriate punishment.
“The most important thing is getting this guy to stop doing this.”
The suspect pleads guilty to the charges.
The case results in fines and a criminal record.
Public reaction to the case is intense.
Balancing accountability with changing behavior.
The importance of reporting suspicious wildlife activity.
Zach explains the conservation impact of losing multiple turtles.
Remarkably, the famous turtle decoy survives the operation with only a cracked shell.
The battle-scarred decoy earns permanent trophy status among the officers.