The Desert Tortoise ConservancyThe Desert Tortoise Conservancy is a proud member of the Coalition for a Balanced Environment (CBE), and is proud to be a Life Member of the California Turtle and Tortoise Club (CTTC), The Desert Tortoise Council (DTC), and the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee (DTPC). In addition the Conservancy is a Founding Member of the Desert Wildlife Center in Indio, California.
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For Desert Tortoises, the Road to Extinction is
Paved With Solar Panels, Cannabis, & Hungry Ravens
Here’s how you know a desert tortoise when you see one: It’s the thing that looks like it couldn’t possibly survive in the desert. They lumber along with these piston legs, like a step stool that’s got somewhere to go. They look as ancient as they are. But also, somehow, even with the shell, they’re vulnerable.
After 15 to 20 million years roaming this land, the desert tortoise is in danger of going extinct.
After 15 to 20 million years roaming this land, the desert tortoise is in danger of going extinct.
The Mojave Desert Tortoise’s population has declined by
90% in some areas and is listed as ‘threat
The environment is not responsible for their decline. The Desert Tortoise is threatened by man. Their natural populations have been decimated by development, habitat destruction and fragmentation, and other human-caused threats including chemical and hormonal pollution, invasive alien species, by various illnesses due to introduced pathogens, such as the upper respiratory tract disease and by a number of other human caused factors. Conservation International’s President, Russell Mittermeier says: “Turtles have been around since before many dinosaurs walked the planet and have survived relatively unchanged for about 250 million years, but mankind’s actions have brought them to the brink of extinction. It’s our responsibility to bring them back.”
Together, we can turn this situation around
Together, we can turn this situation around, and insure that these wonderful, gentle, harmless animals recover, prosper, and are one day no longer threatened. Our idea is simple and straight-forward: We will design, build and operate a Desert Tortoise Awareness Center and Experience in the Palm Springs area. The Center will educate visitors on the threats facing the Mojave Desert Tortoise and what visitors can do to turn the situation around. Much the same way that, over the past 40 years, most Americans learned to pick up after their dogs, and to separate recycling from their other garbage, so too, we are convinced, the human behaviors which are causing and have caused the tortoise to decline can be reversed. With your help, we will lead the way. Thank you for your support.
"The tortoise of fable won his race with the hare. And with your help, the desert tortoise can win this race as well".
Ron Berger
CHMN/CE
CHMN/CE
You can help our cause through your donation.
Please mail your check directly to us at:
Desert Tortoise Conservancy, Inc., 305 West Arenas Road-Palm Springs, CA 92262.
Desert Tortoise Conservancy, Inc., 305 West Arenas Road-Palm Springs, CA 92262.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions.
Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Your generous donation will fund our mission.
Need to Re-home a Tortoise?
If you have a desert tortoise you wish to re-home, or are just looking for information about adoption, please contact
Lynda at [email protected]
If you have a desert tortoise you wish to re-home, or are just looking for information about adoption, please contact
Lynda at [email protected]
How You Help the Mojave Desert Tortoise
Population Recover
Contact UsFor Additional Information
The Desert Tortoise Conservancy Phone: (503) 522-6611 Email: [email protected] |