The Future of the Desert Tortoise

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During recent years there has been increasing concern about the

viability of desert tortoise populations in the United States.

In California, tortoises are constantly threatened by habitat

destruction from residential developments, land use for

agriculture, unregulated control of off-road vehicles, surface

mining, geothermal development, oil exploration, and

overgrazing of range land by livestock.  People who remove

tortoises from their natural habitat for use as pets, in

addition to predators, further reduce the already decreasing

numbers.



If conditions continue at the present rate, many experts predict

near extinction of this species in the wild in the next 35 years.

The Desert Tortoise Council, founded in 1976, is investigating

ways to protect this reptile.  Proposed projects include the

purchase of land for preserves, studies of population dynamics

and other research regarding the biology of this species,

construction of safe highway crossings, and installation of

protective fences.  Everyone should support the efforts of the

Desert Tortoise Council and seek membership in this organization.