The 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).
FIND OUT MOREFor 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.
The Mojave Desert Tortoise's population has declined by 90% in some areas and is listed as 'threatened'
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, various illnesses due to introduced pathogens such as upper respiratory tract disease, and other human-caused factors.
“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.”
— Russell Mittermeier, Conservation International President
Together, we can turn this situation around, and ensure 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 help. We will teach people to watch out for tortoises on the road, to keep their dogs leashed, to pick up after their dogs, and to separate recycling from their other garbage, so less are killed. 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.
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Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
How You Help the Mojave Desert Tortoise Population Recover
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