Hundreds of endangered desert tortoises to be euthanized

[sorraia]

This is so sad.

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/20...ding_cuts.html

[Andys-Python]

why not adopt them out???? it's STUPID to just kill them.

[JLC]

http://thereptilereport.com/endanger...from-rescuers/

Follow the links to find some excellent information on who to contact to make a legitimate complaint against this abominable action.

[Luke Martin]

Or hey...let them go in their natural habitat!? What a thought!

[bcr229]

Or hey...let them go in their natural habitat!? What a thought!

According to the article they don't make good pets so the plan is to release the ones that are healthy enough to survive on their own, and euth the ones that are sick or too feeble to survive in the wild.

[sorraia]

why not adopt them out???? it's STUPID to just kill them.

Or hey...let them go in their natural habitat!? What a thought!

According to the article they don't make good pets so the plan is to release the ones that are healthy enough to survive on their own, and euth the ones that are sick or too feeble to survive in the wild.

I understand euthanizing those animals who are sick and cannot be released, but at the same time if they can be treated and there is a potential adopter willing to pay for the medical expenses, why not adopt them out?

The article does say they don't make good pets, BUT one also must ask who wrote it and why they are being called "not good" pets? Is it a typical media release, where anything outside of the standard dog or cat isn't a good pet? Or is there another reason? The article also says many of the turtles at that center are pets who were given up.

Personally... I think tortoises make fine pets, for those people who are looking for the traits that species possesses. I have a tortoise, who was captive born and adopted through the local Turtle and Tortoise Club. I can't take her for a walk, I can't brush her, don't need to trim her nails, and there isn't much interaction, but I can watch her plod around and eat, and I enjoy that. It's like watching birds in your yard. That isn't for everyone, and that's ok, but to call it "not good" pet because it isn't like your standard dog or cat is a little short sighted, in my personal opinion.

I do think there are alternative options besides euthanizing hundreds of tortoises. I also have a sneaky suspicion that "hundreds" may turn into far more than that. I'm also concerned about what's going to happen to wild tortoises and natural tortoise habitat.

[MarkS]

Hmmmm, smells like politics to me.

[LLLReptile]

FYI they are not actually euthanizing any healthy, adoptable tortoises.

"Statement Regarding Media Reports on Status of Desert Tortoise at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center in Nevada

Aug 26, 2013

Statement Regarding Media Reports on Status of Desert Tortoise at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center in Nevada

Recent media reports regarding the status of desert tortoises at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center (DTCC) have implied that the FWS is currently euthanizing desert tortoises at the facility. We want the public to know that the FWS is not euthanizing healthy tortoises.

The DTCC was established in 1990 to receive wild tortoises in harm’s way from development and has taken in unwanted pets since 1996. Over 1,000 tortoises arrived at the DTCC each year, and approximately 98 percent of those are surrendered or stray pets. Science-based protocols developed for desert tortoises brought to the DTCC have been instrumental in helping the FWS maintain a healthy population of desert tortoise in the wild. Managing to recover desert tortoise, a threatened species, is a complex task in which all options need to be considered, and all risks and benefits to the species must be assessed.

Many pet tortoises, unfortunately, are diseased or otherwise in poor health, and run the risk of spreading disease to wild tortoises. These tortoises cannot be relocated to the wild, or otherwise contribute to recovery of the desert tortoise population. Sometimes euthanasia of unhealthy pet tortoises is necessary, but only as last resort, and only after we evaluate other options. All healthy tortoises at the DTCC will be relocated to sites that will support the recovery of the species.

Progress is being made on translocating the healthy DTCC tortoise population to the wild. A Programmatic Environmental Assessment is complete, and tortoises are already being translocated by the FWS to an approved site in Trout Canyon, Nevada. Public scoping for a second translocation plan was completed Aug 22, 2013, for a proposed translocation area south of Coyote Springs, Nevada.

The Animal Foundation (TAF), Lied Animal Shelter continues to take in unwanted pet tortoises from the public. However, the fact remains that the DTCC does not currently have the capacity or the funding to accept and care for additional tortoises.

Recovery of the desert tortoise in the wild continues to be our top priority. However we are deeply concerned about the growing number of unwanted pets, and will continue to work with our partner agencies toward finding a suitable solution for tortoises that cannot be returned to the wild.
"

"Hello Merritt Clifton,
We had grave concerns about the desert tortoise when we saw a similar article. So we talked to USFWS and they clarified that they are NOT euthanizing any healthy desert tortoises, just unhealthy ones that due to their health status would be a threat to the recovery of the population if released in the wild. Most if not all of these tortoises are people's pets that were turned into the DTCC when they could no longer care for them. Unfortunately, despite great effort, the FWS/San Diego Zoo (they jointly run the DTCC) can not seem to find enough good homes for these diseased desert tortoises.
Please see the FWS PR at http://www.fws.gov/cno/press/release.cfm?rid=526
We knew the $$ was running out for the DTCC and FWS has been releasing "healthy" tortoises into the wild, which we are keeping a close eye on.

If you can help find good homes for any of the "diseased" desert tortoise, I know FWS/San Diego Zoo would be very grateful. Tortoises make great pets (not too big, not too small, although they are long lived 80-100 years in captivity). Their diseases do not affect humans, just other tortoise and turtles, so they should be kept separated from other chelonians.

I hope this helps to clarify the situation. You can contact the DTCC directly at 702-338-0104.
Best regards,
Ileene


Ileene Anderson
Biologist/Wildlands Desert Director
Center for Biological Diversity
323-654-5943 (W)
323-490-0223 (C)
www.BiologicalDiversity.org"

From Herp Digest, a reptile news oriented online newsletter.

-Jen

[Mephibosheth1]

Sure....


They've gotten TONS of offers to help with this, but they won't accept any help from out of the state because they won't make an exception to the transportation law.

And the story I read said they haven't had any "real" reptile experts offer assistance

[LLLReptile]

"Recent media reports regarding the status of desert tortoises at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center (DTCC) have implied that the FWS is currently euthanizing desert tortoises at the facility. We want the public to know that the FWS is not euthanizing healthy tortoises. "

In addition, it sounds like they are actually getting lots of help and it is likely that within the state, they will find a way to ensure that healthy tortoises have a new place to stay. They're not just blanket killing them, although no, you cannot transport them across state lines.

Even the HSUS is supposedly setting up a fund for them, but I would suggest finding an alternate method to donate money to the cause.

In addition, this ruling actually happened back in JANUARY. I am glad that a news article brought it to everyone's attention but the center will still be closing, the pick up service is ending, and the center is working with the San Diego Zoo to release all tortoises that can be released.

Sounds to me like they're doing everything they can to avoid euthanasing tortoises.

-Jen