Tortoise Conservation Coming out of Its Shell

The San Diego Zoo has joined the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in operating the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“This is one of the most pressing conservation needs and it is in our own backyard,” said Alan Lieberman, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Director of Field Programs. “The health of the desert ecosystem can be measured by the health of tortoise populations. The desert tortoise is truly the flagship species of the American southwest.”

The 250-acre Desert Tortoise Conservation Center (DTCC) arose out of a need to protect this species from encroaching real estate development. The center is home to an estimated 1,000 desert tortoises. The program is supported by the Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Department of Wildlife, and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Conservation Centers for Species Survival.

Current operations of the DTCC include providing care and maintenance for unwanted pet and salvaged tortoises. All “rescued” animals require quarantine space and strict health assessments to avoid bringing diseases into the Center, as well as ensuring that diseases are not transmitted back to wild populations by rehabilitated tortoises.

Our goals directed at the recovery of the desert tortoise, include:  1) using the Center more productively and strategically in terms of experimental research on site and population augmentation with an applied research component, 2) conducting health research on current and incoming animals, 3) training professionals, teachers, and community members on issues related to tortoise recovery, as well as conservation of desert flora and fauna, 4) cultivating a community of tortoise supporters, 5) producing and distributing outreach materials to start building support, and 6) developing science-based relocation methodology to include criteria for selecting sites, determining the ideal density for release sites, and a strategic monitoring plan.

Once suitable habitat is located, San Diego Zoo biologists will monitor newly released tortoises to measure the success of the releases, while also managing the animals’ veterinary care, health screening, and release efforts.

“A number of species have become endangered in our own backyard, and management actions are needed to recover the species and safeguard them against extinction,” said Dr. Ron Swaisgood, Associate Director of Conservation Research, Applied animal Ecology Division. “In some cases the species’ range has become so restricted that it is necessary to re-establish animals in portions of their range by actively relocating animals to protected or restored habitat. The desert tortoise has had much of its habitat damaged, divided or just taken over by people, so we are working with other agencies to help this ancient species flourish once again.”