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Researchers voice hope for desert tortoise
From Correspondent Jim Hill
MOJAVE DESERT, California (CNN) -- Scientists have been crawling around in the desert, trying to stop the desert tortoise's slow crawl toward extinction.
On one such recent outing, they made an exciting find: a baby tortoise, two or three years old and small enough to fit in the palm of a hand. They painted the number '1200' on its backside.
(1.5MB/40 sec. QuickTime movie)
"This is the first time this tortoise has been encountered," said researcher Tim Shields.
In California's Desert Tortoise Natural Area, the decline in these reptiles, which can live as long as 100 years, may be leveling off.
"If there's any place that the tortoise will make a comeback, it'll be right here," said naturalist Ken Holmes.
Researchers such as Shields document yearly surveys on the growth and health of the tortoises.
"When you follow individual tortoises, then it's fun to check out and see how much they've grown over the years," Shields said.
Scientists say the physical condition of animals in the wild can be like a living barometer, reflecting what's going on the environment around them. In the tortoise, researchers think they have a sensitive, long-term instrument.
"It can provide us information on what's going on and has been going on for decades," said tortoise expert Kristin Berry.
The desert tortoise, California's official state reptile, was granted federal endangered species protection in 1990. But its numbers have continued to plummet even in conservation areas.
The decline may be even greater in unprotected areas, and hunters, off-road vehicles, pollution and development are blamed for making matters worse.
A comprehensive federal plan to save the endangered species was developed two years ago, but it has yet to be implemented due to money shortages and squabbles among desert users and conservationists.
Related sites:
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- The desert tortoise (a brief natural history)
- The desert tortoise (FAQ)
- Mojave National Preserve
- Desert Tortoise, Mojave Population
- Welcome to the Reno Tur-Toise Club
- Desert Tortoise
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