Tanda Gmiter, MLive.com

A Michigan woman was arrested by police officers in Miami Beach on Saturday after authorities saw her allegedly using a wooden stick to jab at a sea turtle nest in a protected area.

Yaqun Lu, 41, of Hudsonville, is facing a felony charge of molesting marine turtles or eggs, according to the Associated Press.

The woman is a Chinese citizen, but listed an address in the eastern Ottawa County city as her home.

Officers saw Lu using the stick to poke at the eggs in a nest, which was in an area off-limits to the public and surrounded by yellow tape, according to the arrest report. She was also described as “stomping” around the turtle nesting area.

No eggs were damaged, police said.

After Lu’s arrest, the Chinese consulate in Houston was notified.

Officers say the eggs weren’t damaged.

Sea turtles are protected under federal law. In addition, under Florida law it is illegal to harm turtles and their babies.

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