Joshua Tree Turtle and Tortoise Rescue

Look what we're up to now!

2004 - 2005
· Tortoises Rescued = 152
· Telephone calls: 687
· Emails = 2,010
· Educational program attendees reached = 2,800
GPS'ing

What started out as a simple way to make hiking more fun and educational, has turned out to be a possible way in which local biologists and resource agencies can track California Desert tortoises, their

location and their population. The Rescue has always encouraged individuals who encounter a desert tortoise to enjoy the experience by taking photographs. But thanks to advances in hand-held technology, these photos have now evolved into accompanying GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates. This year, the Rescue began receiving GPS-marked sightings of tortoises from private individuals who were hiking throughout the Morongo Basin. The area in which the tortoise was sighted was GPS "marked" and then the coordinates were emailed to the Rescue. In turn, the Rescue began forwarding the GPS coordinates to the Joshua Tree National Park Resource Department for general information purposes. The Park asked if the sightings and coordinates could be more specific so that the observations could be officially logged into their wildlife-tracking database!

When emailing the Tortoise Rescue with GPS coordinates of a tortoise, or any wildlife, the following information should also be included: GPS coordinates, a short written description of where the animal was observed, date and time of the observation, and a short description of what the animal was doing (drinking, fighting, etc.), your name, phone number and email address. As always, when marking a GPS coordinate or when encountering a tortoise, please do not touch, frighten or harm the tortoise in any way. For more information on GPS or its use to help protect desert tortoises, please contact the Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue at 760-369-1235 or email at tortusldy@juno.com.

Many times, when tortoises need to be rescued, there are other reptiles also involved. This was the case

with a Marine who was deployed to Iraq and left his python with some of his buddies. His commanding officer noticed that the snake was not being cared for properly, and called the Rescue. "Lance" was stationed with us for about four months before he was happily reunited with his owner upon his return to the Marine Corps Air to Ground Combat Center in 29 Palms.

As always, the Rescue would like to thank all our donors, local businesses, law enforcement agencies, government agencies and chambers of commerce for their referrals and financial assistance.

If you would like more information on how you can help or for additional tortoise facts, contact;
Joshua Tree Turtle and Tortoise Rescue
P O Box 1099
Joshua Tree, California 92252
760-369-1235
or e-mail the director, Rae Packard.

If you live in California, and would like to adopt a Desert Tortoise,
please download the attached FAQ and Adoption Application and mail back to the Rescue.

Visit: www.tortoise.org