U.S. government to kill hundreds of desert tortoises

[DavidBrown]

This news is really appalling insanity. The desert tortoise rescue center in Las Vegas is going to be shut down by the government for lack of funding and they are planning to kill the hundreds of tortoises there.

Am I the only person who finds this completely unacceptable?

Desert tortoise faces threat from its own refuge as BLM closes Vegas rescue center - The Washington Post

 

[nanoboy]

Could they relocate the stock?

 

[IanRRobinson]

Surely to goodness somewhere in the richest nation on earth there is an individual or organisation with the wherewithal to bail this place out?

 

[beastdoctor]

Desert tortoises which were former pets will often carry a respiratory disease which is nearly impossible to clear up. Pet tortoises should not be released into the wild. There are tortoise clubs in California who would gladly take all the pet turtles off the BLM's hands, in preference to euthanasia. I will notify the club in my area and get the word out, if it isn't already. It is said that the desert tortoise will never go extinct, since so many people own them, at least in Southern California. I have one myself. He was someone's pet, who didn't want him anymore. They are a nice pet- active only in the summer, and hibernate most of the year.

 

[Arizona Docent]

I thought this place received funding and staffing from San Diego Zoo?

 

[DavidBrown]

I thought this place received funding and staffing from San Diego Zoo?

I thought that too. I don't know what the frak is going on here. It may just be political posturing over budget issues, but to even threaten the tortoises like this is really appalling.

 

[ThylacineAlive]

Absolutely unacceptable! I really hope someone does something to stop this!

~Thylo

 

[BeardsleyZooFan]

Appalling. There has to be some alternative to this. It seems whenever funds get low, the animals are the first to go.