Tortoises
What to do if you see a tortoise in residential areas
If you spot a desert tortoise in your neighborhood, call our office at (435) 301-7430. If you are unable to get assistance, or it is after hours, call UDWR’s 24/7 Urban Wildlife Hotline at (435) 680-1461. If all else fails, local animal control officers can collect the animal and transfer it to the proper authorities.
What if you see a tortoise in the street? A common myth we hear from the public is that they believe they will get in trouble for moving a tortoise out of the road. Actually, wildlife officials encourage people to help a tortoise if it is in immediate danger of being hit by a car. Make sure you aren’t endangering yourself, then carefully pick up the tortoise and take him to the other side of the road in the direction that he is traveling. Upon calling us, we will ask for the location so we can collect the tortoise and relocate it out of harm’s way.
What to do if you see a tortoise in the wild
If you see a tortoise in the wild, please admire it from a distance and do not pick it up. Some tortoises may void their bladder (or pee) if they are disturbed. That might not sound like much, but tortoises are well adapted to survive in the hot desert and losing this valuable water can lead to dehydration or death. For this very reason it is actually illegal to pick up a wild desert tortoise. There is one important exception. If you see a tortoise crossing the road or in immediate danger, we encourage you to please move the tortoise out of harms way. If this occurs, hold the tortoise low to the ground with both hands and move it in the direction it was headed. If there is a reserve fence nearby, place it on the other side of the fence. Please give us a call if you move a tortoise so we can figure out how the tortoise got there and see if our fence needs repair.
Although, there is an extensive survey effort done each year inside the reserve to assess tortoise populations, we are interested in sightings of tortoises outside the reserve. If you would like to help us collect this kind of information, you may participate in our citizen science program. This flyer will help you get started.
Can you keep a tortoise as a pet?
Since Mojave desert tortoises are protected, it is illegal to take them from the wild or keep them as pets unless you have the necessary permits. If you, or someone you know has a desert tortoise please advise them to turn it in to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve or Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. We will gladly accept your tortoise – no questions asked. If you ever observe or suspect poaching of desert tortoises or any other protected wildlife, please call the poaching hotline: 1-800-662-3337.
Other Wildlife
If you encounter any other type of wildlife in residential areas and would like to seek help for it or have it removed, please call UDWR’s 24/7 Urban Wildlife Hotline at (435) 680-1461.
Ravens
Our office is interested in collecting information on ravens to help manage their predation upon hatchling tortoises. You can help by reporting raven nest sites inside and neighboring the reserve. This brochure will help you get started.
Gila Monsters
Our office assists UDWR in collecting information on Gila Monster sightings. If you are lucky enough to come across one, we ask that you take a photograph and use this form to report your sighting.