‘Smuggling wildlife’ lecture

Published 8:00 am Saturday, February 11, 2012

The Marine Science lecture series presents “Shell Games: Smuggling of America’s Strangest Wildlife” on  Wednesday, Feb. 15, 7 p.m. at the Eastsound Fire Hall.

Nail-biting stakeouts, sleaze ball informants, night-vision goggles, wildlife cops, hit men, and arson … part of a marine science lecture? … say what?

In a unique blend of natural history and crime drama, author and Seattle Times environmental reporter Craig Welch will share a riveting tale of rogues, scoundrels, and the poaching of nature’s bounty right here in Puget Sound. The talk is based on his award-winning book, “Shell Games: A true story of cops, con men, and the smuggling of America’s strangest wildlife.”

This is a stranger-than-fiction true story centered on the pursuit of the worlds’ largest burrowing clam, the Geoduck (pronounced gooey duck). Geoduck clams can live to be 100 years old and are a seafood delicacy worth millions on the international black market.

Darvill’s Bookstore will have copies of “Shell Games” available for purchase and signing at the Fire Hall immediately following the talk.