04/23/2024
BREAKING NEWS: In case you didn’t hear yesterday, the California Fish and Game Commission voted unanimously to uplist the Mojave Desert Tortoise from "threatened" to "endangered" under the California Endangered Species Act!
Thank you to Pamela Flick of Defenders of Wildlife , Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, DTPC President Roger Dale (presenting on behalf of Desert Tortoise Council Board Member Michael Tuma), and DTPC Board Member Ron Berger for appearing in person at yesterday’s hearing to give public comment in support of uplisting Gopherus agassizii.
Judy Hohman, Board Member, Desert Tortoise Council
“This decision is a long time coming. We appreciate the California Fish and Game Commission using sound science to make their decision. The uplisting of the Mojave Desert Tortoise to endangered signals that we must work harder to ensure that this downward trend toward extinction of the tortoise is reversed as soon as possible.
Many, many thanks to Defenders of Wildlife (especially Jeff Aardahl), the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, and the Desert Tortoise Council (Ed LaRue and Dr. Kristin Berry) for preparing this petition.”
Michael Tuma, PhD, Board Member, Desert Tortoise Council
“We have to recognize that desert tortoises are not an annual species that can rapidly recover from population declines. With their long generation times, slow growth and low reproductive rates, tortoise populations will need decades to recover from population declines, and that’s only if we can provide an environment with sustained relief from threats. Listing the species as endangered under CESA will give them the best chance at successful recovery.”
This step forward is made possible by people like you! Join the fight to Save the Mojave Desert Tortoise today by becoming a member of the Desert Tortoise Council and supporting our work.
https://deserttortoise.org/join-renew-membership/
Read the Joint Press Release from Defenders of Wildlife, Desert Tortoise Council, and the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee here:
https://defenders.org/newsroom/california-fish-and-game-commission-finds-mojave-desert-tortoise-status-warrants-uplisting
Photo: Andrew Walde
