SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – A federal investigation into individuals catching and cooking sea turtles is ongoing.

Cameron County Game Wardens received a tip from their Operation Game Thief hotline about individuals catching the endangered creatures.

After making contact with the suspects and searching their vehicle, Game Wardens found sea turtle shells.

Gladys Porter Zoo’s conversation programs curator Jaime Pena says all five sea turtle species found in the Gulf of Mexico.

All five species are endangered.

“They were either poached or caught, or we threatened their habitat,” said Pena.

Pena says this isn't the first time he’s heard of people killing the turtles.

It's been a problem at South Padre Island for more than 40 years.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been notified and will be leading the investigation.

If you see something suspicious, report it to the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-792-4263.

Watch the video above for the full report.