Stop the planned killing of desert tortoises

The Issue

News recently broke that the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center near Las Vegas is running out of funds and many tortoises may be euthanized! Please sign to help to make sure the Bureau of Land Management & U.S. Fish and Wildlife do everything they can do save these animals unless there is legitimate health reason to consider.

After caring for approximately 1400 desert tortoises, the Bureau of Land Management & U.S. Fish and Wildlife no longer have the funds to continue to operate the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center near Las Vegas. These animals have been in the Southwest for 200 million years, we can't just sit here and let them die. Transition plans are being discussed right now, so every day counts as we consider what is in these amazing animals' best interest.

The BLM and USFWS say that they will attempt to return as many to the wild as are healthy, but as a last resort, they will euthanize. Instead of finding an alternate method, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service may euthanize hundreds of tortoises who are no longer fit for survival in the wild -- many of these animals were pets, turned over to the Center. But there are many suggestions from people who want to donate land, money, time, and help adopt some of the animals into suitable environments rather than see them put to death.

Experts in this article estimate that number (to be euthanized) in the hundreds. Please show your support and ask the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to cease plans to euthanize and find another way. It's important that people everywhere show support so they know the whole world is watching and offering a helping hand.

**UPDATE August 27**

Fish and Wildlife Service called and stated emphatically that they are not euthanizing all of the tortoises and tried to blame the press for misleading people. However, when I requested an approximate number of tortoises that would be euthanized, they were unable to provide that number. An inside source close to the facility estimates that number to be around 200.

The fact remains that many of these tortoises may be killed despite other non-lethal options to re-home them. All we're trying to do is make sure the appropriate agencies do their due diligence in trying to save all the tortoises who can continue to live in peace.

avatar of the starter
Seth WebsterPetition StarterFilmmaker, Photographer, Vegan, Technophile
Media inquiries
This petition had 50,625 supporters

The Issue

News recently broke that the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center near Las Vegas is running out of funds and many tortoises may be euthanized! Please sign to help to make sure the Bureau of Land Management & U.S. Fish and Wildlife do everything they can do save these animals unless there is legitimate health reason to consider.

After caring for approximately 1400 desert tortoises, the Bureau of Land Management & U.S. Fish and Wildlife no longer have the funds to continue to operate the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center near Las Vegas. These animals have been in the Southwest for 200 million years, we can't just sit here and let them die. Transition plans are being discussed right now, so every day counts as we consider what is in these amazing animals' best interest.

The BLM and USFWS say that they will attempt to return as many to the wild as are healthy, but as a last resort, they will euthanize. Instead of finding an alternate method, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service may euthanize hundreds of tortoises who are no longer fit for survival in the wild -- many of these animals were pets, turned over to the Center. But there are many suggestions from people who want to donate land, money, time, and help adopt some of the animals into suitable environments rather than see them put to death.

Experts in this article estimate that number (to be euthanized) in the hundreds. Please show your support and ask the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to cease plans to euthanize and find another way. It's important that people everywhere show support so they know the whole world is watching and offering a helping hand.

**UPDATE August 27**

Fish and Wildlife Service called and stated emphatically that they are not euthanizing all of the tortoises and tried to blame the press for misleading people. However, when I requested an approximate number of tortoises that would be euthanized, they were unable to provide that number. An inside source close to the facility estimates that number to be around 200.

The fact remains that many of these tortoises may be killed despite other non-lethal options to re-home them. All we're trying to do is make sure the appropriate agencies do their due diligence in trying to save all the tortoises who can continue to live in peace.

avatar of the starter
Seth WebsterPetition StarterFilmmaker, Photographer, Vegan, Technophile
Media inquiries

The Decision Makers

Jeannie Stafford
Jeannie Stafford
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Responded
“Please be advised there was an error in the Associated Press articles. 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. ”
Amy Lueders
Amy Lueders
State Director, Nevada Bureau of Land Management
Responded
“Please know that BLM is not euthanizing an tortoises. The Desert Tortoise Conservation Center funding will rung out in September 2014. However, all healthy tortoises will be moved to the wild before that time. The BLM is only in charge of the funding. We are working with others to seek alternative funding sources and tortoises are the responsibility of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We urge you to contact them for additional information: 775-861-6300.”

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Petition created on August 26, 2013