It is March 2009 and the warm weather will bring our Desert Tortoise out of their burrows any day now. We had numerous sightings last year on the trail. Please…please do not touch them or harass in any way. Tortoise are protected under the Federal Endanged Species Act* as a Threatened Species. If you think one is in danger on the trail you can flag other users around it until it leaves the area.
 
If you see a desert tortoise wandering in a developed area or find an injured tortoise, please call the Tortoise hotline at 702-383-TORT (8678).
Large Tortoise on Trail 2008
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 NOTE: Federal protection means it is illegal to “take” a desert tortoise. “Take” means to “harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct.” The habitat of the desert tortoise is also protected and may not not be damaged. Both civil and criminal penalties can be levied. Criminal penalties of $25,000 fines and 6 months in jail can be assessed for each violation.
PHOTO GALLERY TORTOISE –
