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The Desert Council

Volume 39, Issue 2 September 30, 2014 Newsletter (Tortoise) Food for Thought: Can Livestock Grazing and the Desert Tortoise Co-exist? by Kristen Wasz and Michael Tuma

A single (albeit incredibly sim- deserts, particularly within de- and structure of perennial plified) day in the life of a male sert tortoise critical habitat. shrubs that depend desert tortoise: Get warm in Still, there are areas of the de- on for shade and cover (Berry Inside this issue: the sun. Find some food to sert – both within and outside 1978; Coombs 1979; Webb Featured Stories munch on. Don’t get killed of critical habitat – where graz- and Steilstra 1979; Nicholson today. Take an afternoon sies- ing by domesticated and feral and Humphreys 1981; Avery (Tortoise) Food for Thought: 1 ta. Find a hot female tortoise ungulates remains a threat to and Neibergs 1997). The ac- Can Livestock Grazing and and convince her to mate with tortoise populations. In severe tions of feral burros are dam- the Desert Tortoise Co-exist? me. Find more food! drought years our thoughts aging both in terms of overlap CTTC Celebrates 50 Years 5 But what’s a tortoise to do in a focus on the negative effects of in forage preferences with tor- year such as this? The West is livestock grazing on tortoise toises and in effects on cover The Threat of Traditional 7 undermined with drought with populations and habitat in are- of perennial shrubs (Berry et al. Medicine: China’s Boom May as that are still affected. 2014b). In more rugged terrain, Mean Doom for seemingly no reprieve in the near future; annual wildflower Scientists generally agree that burros seek shade on the Tortoises Show Off Smarts by 9 blooms have been drastically grazing by livestock and feral slopes of wash banks, and in Mastering Touch-Screen Tech reduced in recent years; and equines is unlikely to benefit doing so, trample and damage our surface water features ap- tortoises or their habitats. Live- caliche exposures, rendering Long-term AZGFD Study 11 pear to have dried substantially. stock have been known to them unsuitable for use by Compromised by Tortoise Moreover, the effects of the collapse burrows, crush tor- desert tortoises (personal ob- Shooting extended drought are exacer- toises, and change the density servation by MT). Columns bated by the threat of grazing continued on Page 3 by livestock and feral horses Letter from the Editor 2 and burros. Livestock grazing Award Announcement: David 2 has been practiced within the J. Morafka 2015 Memorial desert tortoise’s range since Research Award European settlers came west- ward (Oldemeyer 1994), and Event Announcements 4 feral populations of burros and Board of Directors Spotlight 6 horses have been established in the since the Book Review: Biology and 10 late 1800s (Weaver 1974). Over Conservation of North Ameri- the past 20 or so years, careful can Tortoises land management in support of Special Announcements 12 tortoise conservation has elimi- Photo Gallery 12 nated grazing allotments and feral equines from much of the An Agassiz’s desert tortoise peers from beneath a canopy of red brome, a non- Mojave and western Sonoran native annual grass spread by grazing livestock. Photo by Beth Jackson. Page 2 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2

Morafka Award, open registra- contribute stories, and photog- Letter from the Editor tion for the DTC Workshop, raphers who want to see their and a new position in our or- tortoise photos published. This issue of the Desert Tor- and shark populations, as well ganization—Social Media Co- - Michael Tuma toise Council Newsletter fea- as many other rare vertebrate ordinator. I also introduce a tures stories about two im- . In other stories, we new feature for this and future [email protected] portant threats to desert tor- celebrate the Golden Anniver- issues—the Board of Director toise populations, including the sary of one of our sister organi- Spotlight, a column that intro- effects of livestock grazing in zations—the duces (or re-introduces) the desert tortoise habitat and ille- and Tortoise Club, and learn DTC Board to our member- gal killing/poaching of tortois- about intelligence and cognitive ship. es by humans. An additional abilities in tortoises. This issue invited story highlights another also features a review of the I am seeking help from our threat to turtle populations new book—Biology and Con- membership for producing around the world—the threat servation of North American future newsletters. If you’re of traditional Chinese medi- Tortoises. interested in contributing in cine, a pseudoscience that has any way, please contact me! I’m Important announcements in especially looking for help contributed to the global deci- this issue include the 2015 mation of tiger, rhinoceros, from authors who want to Photo by Heather Parks Award Announcement David J. Morafka 2015 Memorial Research Award In honor and memory of Prof. must agree to present a report requested on the application, selection by January 19, 2015 David J. Morafka, distin- on the results of the research including a description of the and the award will be presented guished herpetologist and au- in which award funds were research project in no more at the 2015 Desert Tortoise thority on North American used at a future symposium of than 1,200 words. Council Symposium, February gopher tortoises, the Desert the Desert Tortoise Council. 3. Submit the completed appli- 20-22, 2015. Tortoise Council, with the aid Evaluation Criteria: Applica- cation to grstew- of several donors, has estab- tions will be evaluated on the [email protected] as a pdf lished a monetary award to basis of the potential of the document. help support research that con- research to contribute to the tributes to the understanding, 4. Applications must be sup- biological knowledge of one or management and conservation ported by the applicant’s CV more of the above gopher tor- of tortoises of the Go- and three letters of recommen- toise species, and to their man- pherus in the southwestern dation, one of which must be agement and conservation. and : G. from the applicant’s research Important considerations are agassizii, G. morafkai, G. berlandi- advisor, supervisor, or a the significance and originality eri, and G. flavomarginatus. knowledgeable colleague. In- of the research problem, de- struct the recommenders to Award Amount: $2,000 to be sign of sampling and analysis, submit their letters to grstew- awarded at the Desert Tortoise preliminary data supporting the [email protected] as pdf Council’s Annual Symposium, feasibility of the research, and documents. depending on the availability of the likelihood of successful David J. Morafka was a graduate of the funding and an appropriate completion and publication. 5. All application materials and University of Southern California and a recipient. letters of recommendation Application Procedure: must be received by Decem- professor at California State University, Eligibility: Applicants must be Dominguez Hills. His research interests 1. Download and open an ber 1, 2014. They will be eval- associated with a recognized included evolutionary biology, biogeogra- application form from the De- uated by a committee of go- institution (e.g., university, phy, and herpetology. He was an expert in sert Tortoise Council’s website pher tortoise biologists ap- museum, government agency, the biology of the bolsón tortoise www.deserttortoise.org. The pointed by the Desert Tortoise ( flavomarginatus) and non-governmental organiza- form is electronically interac- Council Board of Directors. Agassiz’s desert tortoise (Gopherus tion) and may be graduate stu- agassizii), as well as the ecogeography of tive. 6. The research award recipi- dents, post-doctoral students, the Chihuahuan Desert and neonatology or other researchers. They 2. Provide all information ent will be notified of his/her of tortoises. Page 3 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2 Livestock Grazing (continued)

One of the most obvious ef- fortii), redstem filaree (Erodium tary overlap between range (Avery 1998). In heavily grazed fects of grazing is the removal cicutarium), and the list goes on. cattle and desert tortoises can areas, tortoises may only be left of native desert annual vegeta- Exotic plant species have be- range from 40% of plant spe- with non-native species such as tion and replacement by inva- come far more abundant in the cies consumed during dry years common Mediterranean grass, sive, non-native plant species, desert ecosystem in recent to 61% in wet years (Avery and which has been shown to de- which can significantly change times, in part due to livestock Neibergs 1997). With a very plete , phosphorus, the composition of vegetation grazing. Their hardiness and short window of foraging op- and water, and cause weight within heavily grazed areas. ability to withstand the heavy portunity (anywhere from six loss in tortoises (Avery 1998; The compaction, erosion, and demands of grazing has facili- weeks to three months; Berry Nagy et al. 1998; Hazard et al. other disturbances that grazing tated their spread and persis- 1978), this could create a short- 2010). Thus, changes in the ungulates cause to further tence in desert ecosystems age of forage for tortoises dur- abundance and diversity of increase the spread of non- (Oldemeyer 1994). Even long ing a critical time of resource native plant species within de- acquisition. Woodbury and sert tortoise habitat can con- Hardy (1948) in their early tribute to serious nutritional classic paper on desert tortois- deficiencies in desert tortoises, es in southwestern Utah per- leading to starvation and re- haps stated it best with the duced fertility in females following observation at their (Avery and Neibergs 1997). study site: Finally, we know from survey “[Sheep] frequently denude the an- data that desert tortoise popu- nual plant cover by grazing and lations do not respond well to trampling. Often the only annuals the presence of grazing ungu- and grasses remaining are those lates. Surveys conducted by which grow about the base of and up Keith et al. (2008) showed a through the perennial shrubs and negative relationship between cactuses. The degree of denudation tortoise occurrence (sign) and varies somewhat from year to year… intensity of grazing (cow scat The lush carpet of annuals that counts). Likewise, Berry et al. usually fills up the spaces between the (2014b) determined a negative A herd of trespass cattle in the Gold Butte-Pakoon desert tortoise Critical Habitat bushes in early spring and sometimes relationship between tortoise Unit in southern . Photo by Michael Tuma. in fall…is normally limited to a 30 occurrence and intensity of to 40 day period in spring and in sheep grazing. The desert tor- native weed seeds and impede after grazing ungulates are re- fall but when the sheep herds sweep toise, as well as native annual the ability of native vegetation moved from desert tortoise the carpet clean the tortoise access to and perennial plants in desert to compete (Belsky and Gel- habitat, the presence of estab- the fresh green vegetation is limited to communities, did not evolve to bard 2000). Watering features lished populations of exotic a few days.” compensate for or adapt to provided by ranchers to their annual plant species threatens coexisting with a high density livestock are particularly detri- the health of desert ecosys- Perhaps the most troubling implications of the effects of of large, grazing ungulates mental in the spread of inva- tems. (Oldemeyer 1994) and, there- sive plants (Brooks et al. 2006). grazing ungulates in desert The diets of grazing ungulates fore, are ill-equipped to cope Once established, exotic plants tortoise habitat is that of com- overlap considerably with de- with the significant ecological may dominate annual plant promised tortoise nutrition. sert tortoises, the degree to changes that they create. Can biomass, especially during Tortoises require native annual which depends on the amount we blame livestock and feral drought years and particularly plants that provide a high ni- of rainfall in a given year. Typi- equine grazing for single- where disturbances occur trogen to potassium (N:K) cally, this overlap is most obvi- handedly causing the decline of (Brooks and Berry 2006). We ratio (Oftedal and Allen 1996; ous in spring, when annual desert tortoise populations are all too familiar with some Oftedal 2002; Oftedal et al. biomass is at its peak. Both across its range? Doubtful. of the common culprits: Medi- 2002), and they seek out these tortoises and ungulates primar- Like many other federally listed terranean grass (Schismus spp.), plants, such as desert dandeli- ily feed on forbs and grasses species, the reasons for popula- red brome (), on (Malacothrix glabrata), in (Avery and Neibergs 1997; tion decline are complicated Sahara mustard (Brassica tourne- areas not affected by grazing Germano et al. 1994), and die- continued on Page 8 Page 4 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2 Event Announcements Registration Remains Open for 2014 DTC Workshop Registration remains open for pecially for entry-level field  classroom overviews of or any other agency will permit the 24th Annual DTC Work- biologists with a solid under- the desert tortoise and or authorize you to handle shop, Introduction to Desert standing of vertebrate biology threats to its survival. tortoises, move eggs, construct Tortoises and Field Tech- and ecology, and is structured burrows, collect survey data, The workshop consists of niques, will be held in Ridge- to provide information on the etc. However, completion of morning lectures by experi- crest, California. There will be biology of Agassiz’s desert the workshop may be an im- enced tortoise biologists and two identical sessions to tortoise and the field tech- portant aspect in gaining agen- field workers and afternoons choose from—the first on niques of monitoring and sur- cy permission/authorization. of field experience locating November 1 and 2 (Sat-Sun) veying, including: tortoises. and the second on November  hands-on exercises in 3 and 4 (Mon-Tue), 2014. In- This DTC Workshop is recog- monitoring and surveying formation for the workshop is nized as valuable training techniques for desert tor- available on the DTC website course by the U.S. Fish and toises; (http:// Wildlife Service, but a letter www.deserttortoise.org/  authorized demonstrations certifying course completion workshop.html). of egg handling and bur- (including attendance and com- row construction; and pleting the on line test), does The DTC Workshop is well-attended each The workshop is designed es- not guarantee that the Service year. Reserve your spot now! Council 36th Annual Meeting The 36th Annual Gopher Tor- limited to gopher tortoises and Council website (http:// toise Council Meeting will be can include a number of topics www.gophertortoisecouncil.org held on October 16-18, 2014 at related to upland habitat and /annual-meeting/), will feature the Creekside Center in associated species. a Tortoise Health Working Group on Thursday, a session Chehaw Park, located in Alba- Student Travel awards will be on Land Management and ny, Georgia. This meeting pro- available, as well as awards for Priority Species Conservation vides an excellent opportunity best Student Presentation and in the Southeast on Friday for students and professionals Poster. Friday afternoon will morning, a field visit to a near- to present their work, share feature. agement actions on Friday ideas, and collaborate on pro- by site to observe ongoing afternoon, and contributed jects. However, topics are not The agenda, which can be gopher tortoise habitat man- paper sessions on Saturday. found on the Gopher Tortoise Annual DTC Symposium Approaches The 40th Annual Meeting and North American Tortoises, will be for a companion session on Papers summarizing a substan- Symposium of the Desert Tor- with us to talk about this multi- Gopherus morafkai in Arizona. tial body of work, new scien- toise Council are less than 6 authored book. The Council The Saturday morning session tific findings, and opinion piec- months away and it is time to will be selling the book at a will feature presentations on es are welcome. Abstracts are reserve February 20-22, 2015 special low rate and there will the . Pete due by December 1 to Pro- on your calendars for the cele- be a book signing. Many of the Coates who has published sev- gram Chair, Kristin Berry, at bration. The program will fea- book authors are expected to eral papers on this species and [email protected]. If ture some long-term support- attend. One featured session has research projects underway your abstract cannot be final- ers and friends as well as new will summarize a 15-year re- in the Great Basin on common ized by December 1 and you and exciting featured speakers. search study of Gopherus moraf- ravens and sage grouse, is wish to reserve a speaking slot David Rostal, the senior edi- kai in Mexico, organized by chairing this session. Several early, please contact the Pro- tors of the newly published Mercy Vaughn. Cristina Jones other people have already gram Chair. book, Biology and Conservation of has several speakers lined up made arrangements to speak. Page 5 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2

CTTC Celebrates 50 Years

by M. A. Cohen mance by CTTC Foothill On Saturday, July 12, 2014 at Chapter’s Sharon Uretz, who Ayres Hall on the grounds of led the guests in a 50th Anni- the Los Angeles Arboretum, versary song, the lyrics of members of the California which she composed. Turtle & Tortoise Club and Dr. Fred Caporaso from Chap- honored guests gathered to man University in Orange, celebrate the golden anniver- California spoke about his ex- sary of the Club. CTTC Execu- periences during 22 trips to the tive Board Vice-chair Robin Galápagos Islands. His presen- Robb and her event-planning Dr. Marc Graff, past Chair of the tation was titled “Galápagos team created a memorable CTTC Executive Board, receiving an Tortoise Update: Lonesome affair that was enjoyed by all in award from Robin Robb. Photo by Ken- George is Gone, but Sound neth Tang. Science and Serendipity May Following lunch, Michael Tu- Spell Recovery for these Gen- ma, PhD Candidate at the Uni- tle Giants!” Dr. Caporaso versity of Southern California talked about the remarkable and Desert Tortoise Council drawing and silent auction, work the Conservancy does Board member, gave a presen- which was coordinated by to preserve the global treasure tation entitled “Tortoises event planning team member known as the Galápagos Is- Through the Eyes of a Biolo- Abigail DeSesa, and the win- lands, and provided copies of gist: What Can Wild Tortoises ners claimed an appealing as- the latest newsletter from the Tell Us about our Pets?” He sortment of prizes. Master of Galápagos Conservancy. spoke about the evolution, life Ceremonies Dave Friend Executive Board Chair Dave Friend at The luncheon buffet, a variety history, physiology, and behav- closed the celebration festivi- the podium. Photo by Kenneth Tang. of appetizing fare, was catered iors of wild tortoises, and how ties with inspiring remarks by the Stonefire Grill. Desserts such knowledge can be about his term as Chair of the attendance. Upon arrival, at- included a custom CTTC- adapted to our keeping and Executive Board and his mem- tendees were greeted by a themed cake provided by Ex- interacting with our pets. After bership in the Club. As the breakfast spread of fresh fruit ecutive Board Secretary Lisa Mr. Tuma’s presentation, Ed event concluded, each attendee platters and an array of delec- Winn. During the luncheon, LaRue, member of the Desert was presented with a souvenir table baked treats provided by Jim Misiak, President of Chino Tortoise Council Board of of the celebration: a commem- caterer Genevieve Rheaume. Chapter, gave a PowerPoint Directors, DTC recording sec- orative 50th Anniversary wine presentation that documented Current Chair of the Executive retary, and chair of the DTC glass complemented by choco- the history of CTTC. Board and Master of Ceremo- Ecosystem Advisory Commit- lates. nies Dave Friend opened the tee, spoke about the activities festivities by welcoming the of the DTC over the previous assembled guests. Following year. his opening remarks, Dr. Mi- Following the conclusion of chael J. Connor, the California the presentations, Robin Robb Director for the Western Wa- awarded plaques to a number tersheds Project, former editor of CTTC members, honoring of the Tortuga Gazette, devel- them for their dedication and oper and webmaster of the leadership in service to the CTTC web site, and former Club. She also distributed gift Chair of the CTTC Executive bags to each of the event plan- Board, provided an entertain- Dr. Caporaso giving his presentation on ning team members, whose Executive Board Vice-chair Robin Robb ing history of the Club. Dr. the Galápagos Islands, with special em- collective effort made the day presents an award to Peggy Nichols, one of Connor’s presentation was phasis on the native tortoises. Photo by so memorable. The awards and the founders of CTTC. Photo by Kenneth followed by a musical perfor- Kenneth Tang. gifts were followed by a raffle Tang. Page 6 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2 Board of Directors Spotlight Ed LaRue Having propagated whooping at Circle Mountain Biological Ed served as emcee for the cranes and Andean condors for Consultants, Inc. Council’s Techniques Work- USFWS 1978-1982, received In November 1991, Ed joined shop 1993-2013, and has been his B.S. from Virginia Tech in the Desert Tortoise Council as an instructor since 2011. Be- 1982, worked on the Puerto a Board Member, serving as tween 1992 and 1997, Ed Rican parrot project 1983- Recording Secretary 1993- drafted the federal Habitat 1986, received his M.S. from 2004, Corresponding Secretary Conservation Plans for the Ohio State in 1987, and 1997-2004, and as a Desert 1st, 2nd, and 7th 10(a)(1)(B) worked for New York Chapter Tortoise Preserve Committee tortoise permits in California. of The Nature Conservancy in Board Member 1994-1996. In Ed rejoined the Council Board 1988, Ed arrived in the Mojave 1994, he drafted the in 2011 where he serves as the Desert in December 1988. In “Guidelines for Handling De- Ecosystems Advisory Com- 1989 he joined Larry LaPré at sert Tortoises during Construc- mittee Chair and Recording Tierra Madre Consultants, Inc., tion Projects,” and served as a Secretary. and since 1994 has drafted BLM biologist drafting the more than 750 tortoise reports West Mojave Plan 1998-2004. with partner Sharon Dougherty Peter Woodman Born and raised in China Lake, During the course of the study monitoring assessments, and trained hundreds of tortoise California, Peter counts, in Peter and two other high construction monitoring pro- biologists over the years. He addition to his parents, three school recruits were picked up jects. He has conducted sur- has been an integral part of mentors who greatly shaped by Kristin in her VW Bug after veys on most of the 30 tortoise DTC field techniques work- his life: Dr. Carl Heller with school and on weekends, and population trend plots in Ari- shops since their inception. the China Lake Mountain Res- assisted her with population zona and Califor- cue Group, Don Moore for assessments, behavioral obser- nia, line distance broadening his view of natural vations, or tracking their move- transect surveys history, and Dr. Kristin Berry ments (using only their foot- in support of for an introduction to the sci- prints). Since his graduation range-wide popu- entific method via desert tor- from CSU Fresno in 1978, lation monitor- toise research. Peter was in Peter has spent thousands of ing, and assess- high school when he received days on a wide variety of desert ments of tortoise his first opportunity to work tortoise projects from the trop- translocation with desert tortoises, serving as ical deciduous forest of north- efforts. Peter has a volunteer field assistant for ern Sinaloa, Mexico to the Mo- emulated Dr. Dr. Berry, who received her jave and Sonoran deserts of the Berry’s practice first contract to conduct desert U.S. and Mexico. His work has of teaching tortoise studies on the China included a mix of research- throughout his Lake ranges in the early 1970s. oriented studies, population career, and has DTC Board of Directors

Officers Members at Large Bruce Palmer, Chairperson Kristin Berry Chris Noddings Cristina Jones Ed LaRue, Recording Secretary Glenn Stewart Ken MacDonald Jason Jones Joe Probst, Treasurer Margaret Fusari Michael Tuma Mari Quillman, Membership Coordinator Peter Woodman Scott Abella Becky Jones, Corresponding Secretary Page 7 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2 The Threat of Traditional Medicine: China’s Boom May Mean Doom for Turtles by Erin Crandall trifasciata), the yellow-margined past? The problem lies with (Cuora flavomarginata), China’s booming population For thousands of years turtles the Chinese big-headed turtle coupled with a traditional have been used in Chinese (Platysternon megacephalum), mindset when it comes to traditional medicine to treat a Reeves’ turtle ( medicine. wide variety of ailments and reevesii), the red-eared slider “Approximately 90 percent of diseases. Originally published ( scripta elegans) and in the journal Radiata and re- China’s modern day society Chinese soft-shell turtle believes that traditional Chi- cently republished HerpDigest ( sinensis). Many of David S. Lee and Liao Shi Kun nese medicines work, and are these species—including the supportive of the exploitation write, “[In Chinese culture] Chinese three-striped and yel- turtles are symbolic of long of wildlife for their use,” write Turtles offered for sale in a market in Yang- low margined box turtle and the authors. zhou, China. Photo by Vladimir Menkov. life, personal wealth, fertility, the Chinese big-headed tur- strength, and happy house- tle—are either extinct or are With China’s population at 1.3 thors believe the exploitation holds.” dangerously close to it in the billion and growing, demand of turtles is not likely to change Despite a lack of scientific wild. for turtles is also increasing. substantially even in the distant evidence demonstrating a caus- On top of population growth, future unless large-scale shifts In traditional medicine, every China’s economy has improved occur. They speculate that ative link between turtle con- last part of the turtle is con- sumption and medicinal bene- greatly in recent years and technological and social ad- sumed, including their turtle more families are able to afford vancements, along with gov- fits, many people in China be- meat, as well as their skin, lieve they provide benefits such turtles, further increasing the ernment intervention, could heads, eggs, shells and even demand. In addition to direct offer some relief. their blood, , and bile. harvesting, economic growth The eggs, blood and bile are all “China represents a vast un- has led to urban expansion and tapped market for prescription “Approximately 90 added to wine to provide par- consequential destruction of drugs and other tested modern percent of China’s ticular cures, whereas the skin aquatic wildlife habitat and medicines,” the authors write. modern day society and head are eaten alone. The heavy pollution of what re- believes that traditional “Perhaps profit driven invest- shell can either be ground into mains nearby. Chinese medicines work, powder or boiled in water, and ments by the pharmaceutical and are supportive of the the urine is used as drops in Many commercial turtle farms industry will one day result in exploitation of wildlife the ear or consumed as a bev- have been started in an attempt indirect long-term benefits to for their use.” erage. to meet the demand for turtles. the Chinese people as well as But rather than alleviate pres- turtle conservation. The wide as maintaining youthful beauty These various concoctions are sure on wild populations, com- spread use of the Internet pre- in women and improving sexu- believed to cure coughs, pro- mercial farming has actually sents the opportunity to edu- al function in men. Because of lapse of the rectum, deafness, increased it. According to the cate the general populace about these beliefs and their symbolic cancer and everything in be- authors, because of the inher- modern medicines as well the importance, turtles have been tween. The wide variety of uses ent health issues involved in growing conservation needs of highly sought after for more as well as the simple fact that commercial farming such as the country’s indigenous iconic than 3,000 years. However, in they can be transported and the use of hormones and anti- fauna. recent years, China’s economy kept alive for long periods of biotics, along with the belief “With the right level of private has changed in a way that has time post-capture has made that wild-caught and native sector and government dedica- become increasingly threaten- turtles highly desirable ingredi- turtles have the greatest medi- tion this could all be turned ing to the country’s wild turtle ents for traditional medicine. cal benefits, the presence of about rather quickly.” populations. As previously mentioned, tur- commercial turtle farms has tles have been consumed this actually resulted in further ex- This article was reprinted with the The most common species permission of Mongabay.com. The used are the yellow pond turtle way for thousands of years. So ploitation of wild populations. original story may be found at (Mauremys mutica), the Chinese why are there suddenly grow- Because of entrenched cultural http:// news.mongabay.com/2014/0808- three-striped box turtle (Cuora ing conservation concerns and economic factors, the au- when there never were in the crandall-turtles-traditional- medicine.html Page 8 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2 Livestock Grazing (continued) and can be related to a jigsaw ments have been purchased fects of grazing on desert tor- toise on the Beaver Dam Slope, Utah. pp. 132–147 in Proceedings of the Desert Tor- puzzle; one threat leads to an- through implementation of the toise populations and their toise Council Symposium 1979. other, which exacerbates an- Clark County Multiple Species habitat, increased public aware- Franks, B. R., H. W. Avery, and J. R. Spotila. other, which creates another, Habitat Conservation Plan ness of the problem, and deci- 2011. Home range and movement of desert and so on and so forth. None- grazing. Several grazing allot- sions by policy makers and tortoises Gopherus agassizii in the Mojave Desert of California, USA. Endangered theless, the effects of grazing ments were purchased and public land management agen- Species Research 12: 191-201. ungulates are a real threat to closed as part of mitigation for cies to reduce and/or eliminate Germano, D. J., R. B. Bury, T. C. Esque, T. tortoises, and importantly, are the Fort Irwin Land Expansion ungulate grazing in tortoise H. Fritts, and P. A. Medica. 1994. Range and habitats of the desert tortoise. Pp. 73–84 in widespread where they occur. Project. Despite these success- habitat altogether, we can be R. B. Bury and D. J. Germano, editors. Fortunately, this threat is one es and others, much remains to confident that desert tortoise Biology of North American Tortoises. that can be (at least in theory) be accomplished to completely populations will continue to USFWS Research Report 13. easily managed. Grazing allot- remove the threat of grazing recover in the face of this Hazard, L. C., D. R. Shemanski, and K. A. Nagy. 2010. Nutritional quality of natural ments can be retired, trespass livestock and feral horses and threat. foods of juvenile and adult desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii): , phosphorus, and cattle can be removed, and burros from desert tortoise Now for that desert dandelion feral horses and burros can be habitat. There are critical habi- magnesium digestibility. Journal of Herpetol- feast… ogy 44(1):135-147. rounded up. Much has already tat units where grazing allot- Literature Cited Keith, K., K. H. Berry, and J. Weigand. been done to remove the threat ments remain open and areas 2008. When desert tortoises are rare: testing of grazing ungulates from de- where illegal trespassing by Avery, H. W. 1998. Nutritional ecology of a new protocol for assessing status. Califor- the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii,) in nia Fish and Game 94(2):75–97. sert tortoise habitat. In 1990, livestock is allowed to contin- relation to cattle grazing in the Mojave the year the desert tortoise was ue. Thriving populations of Desert. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Nagy, K. A., B. T. Henen, and D. B. Vyas. California, Los Angeles. 1998. Nutritional quality of native and federally listed, the BLM in feral burros and horses still introduced food plants of wild desert tortois- Avery, H. W. and Neibergs, A. G. 1997. es. Journal of Herpetology 32(2):260–267. California closed sheep grazing persist in many areas designat- Effects of Cattle Grazing on the Desert in what was to become critical ed as desert tortoise critical Tortoise, Gopherus agassizii: Nutritional and Nicholson, L. and K. Humphreys 1981. Sheep grazing at the Kramer study plot, San habitat. In the late 1990s, at the habitat. Outside of critical hab- Behavioral Interactions. Pp. 13-20 in J. Van Abbema, ed. Proceedings: Conservation, Bernardino County, California. pp. 163–194 request of the BLM, the Desert itat, there are many opportuni- Restoration, and Management of Tortoises in K. A. Hashagen, ed. Proceedings of the 1981 symposium of the Desert Tortoise Tortoise Preserve Committee, ties to remove grazing ungu- and Turtles—An International Conference. New York Turtle and Tortoise Society and Council. Inc. and the Wildlands Con- lates from important areas that WCS Turtle Recovery Program. Oftedal, O. T. 2002. Nutritional ecology of servancy purchased 1,360 acres support viable desert tortoise Belsky, A.J. and J.L. Gelbard. 2000. Live- the desert tortoise in the Mojave and Sonor- of the Blackwater Well Ranch populations and dispersal corri- stock Grazing and Weed Invasions in the an Deserts. In T. R. van Devender (ed.), The Tortoise: Natural History, (Pilot Knob allotment) on dors between them. Arid West. Oregon Natural Desert Associa- tion. Bend, Oregon. Biology, and Conservation, pp. 194–241. lands that were subsequently University of Arizona Press and the Arizona- With a continued focus on Berry, K. H. 1978. Livestock grazing and the Desert Museum, Tucson. designated critical habitat. In scientific studies into the ef- desert tortoise. North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference 43:505-519. Oftedal, O. T. and M. E. Allen. 1996. Nutri- Nevada, many grazing allot- tion as a major facet of conservation. Berry, K. H., L. Lyren, and T. Bailey. 2014a. Zoo Biology 15:491–497. Desert tortoise distribution and abundance in the Chemehuevi Valley: Effects of feral Oftedal, O. T., S. Hillard, and D. J. Morafka burros, trash, and vehicles. 39th Annual 2002. Selective spring foraging by juvenile Symposium, Desert Tortoise Council Sym- desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in the posium. 21-23 February 2014, Ontario, Mojave Desert: Evidence of an adaptive California. nutritional strategy. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4:341-352. Berry, K. H., L. L. Lyren, J. L. Yee, and T. Y. Bailey. 2014b. Protection benefits desert Oldemeyer, J. L. 1994. Livestock grazing and tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) abundance: The the desert tortoise in the Mojave Desert. Pp. influence of three management strategies on 95-103 in R. B. Bury and D. J. Germano, a threatened species. Herpetological Mono- editors. Biology of North American Tortois- graphs 28 (in press). es. USFWS Research Report 13. Brooks, M. L. and K. H. Berry. 2006. Domi- Weaver, R. A. 1974. Feral burros and wild- nance and environmental correlates of alien life. Proceedings of the 6th Vertebrate Pest annual plants in the Mojave Desert, USA. Conference. Journal of Arid Environments 67:100-124. Webb, R. H. and S. S. Stielstra. 1979. Sheep Brooks, M. L., J. R. Matchett, and K. H. grazing effects on Mojave Desert vegetation Berry. 2006. Effects of livestock watering and soils. Environmental Management 3:517 sites on alien and native plants in the Mojave –529. Desert, USA. Journal of Arid Environments Woodbury A. M. and R. Hardy. 1948. Stud- Livestock grazing has a long history in the Mojave Desert, as evidenced by this his- 67(2006):125–147. ies of the desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii. toric cattle pen in the Gold Butte Critical Habitat Unit in southern Nevada. Photo Coombs, E. M. 1979. Food habits and Ecological Monographs 18:145–200. by Michael Tuma. livestock competition with the desert tor- Page 9 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2 Tortoises Show Off Smarts by Mastering Touch- Screen Tech by Laura Geggel Touch-screen technology has navigation, Wilkinson said. were too small to properly ventured into the world of Instead, red-footed tortoises reach the screen, Wilkinson . Red-footed tortoises may rely on an area of the said. have learned how to use the brain called the medial cortex, The remaining two tortoises device in exchange for a straw- an area associated with com- applied their knowledge to a berry, a new study reports. plex cognitive behavior and real-life situation in the next Researchers taught the tortois- decision making in people. To part of the experiment, Wil- es a few touch-screen basics in understand how tortoises learn, kinson said. The researchers to learn about the ani- the researchers tested how the placed them in an arena with mals’ navigational techniques. reptiles relied on cues to get two blue empty food bowls The tortoises not only mas- around. that looked like the blue circles tered the task in exchange for Wilkinson’s colleagues at the on the touch screen. The tor- strawberries, but the University of Vienna gave the toises went to the bowl on the also transferred their tortoises treats when the rep- same side as the circles they knowledge to a real-life setting. tiles looked at, approached and were trained to peck on the then pecked on the screen. screen. “Generally people see reptiles One of the s study’s authors, Anna Wil- as inert, stupid and unrespon- The four red-footed tortoises However, it’s possible that the kinson, with Moses, a test subject in the sive,” said Anna Wilkinson, in the study learned how to use tortoises weren’t transferring study examining mechanisms underlying one of the study’s lead re- touch screens fairly quickly, knowledge, but simply had a tortoise spatial navigation. searchers and a senior lecturer Wilkinson said. preferred side, said Jennifer of cognition at the Uni- Vonk, an associate professor of ceptual and cognitive abilities “It’s comparable to the speed of tortoises to other animals versity of Lincoln in England. with which the pigeons and psychology at Oakland Univer- “I would like people to see that sity in Michigan, who was not that can perform the same rats do it,” Wilkinson told Live tasks, Vonk said. The experi- there is something much more Science. “I’ve trained dogs to involved with the study. complex going on.” ment also reinforces other use a touch screen and I’d say The researchers trained the findings that tortoises are intel- Red-footed tortoises are in- the tortoises are faster.” tortoises to go to the opposite ligent creatures. quisitive and eager to eat treats, Their speedy learning is in line bowl in the arena to see how making them good test sub- flexible they were, but once “If you are taking on a reptile, with the fact that tortoise you do need to consider their jects, Wilkinson said. The tor- hatchlings don’t receive paren- reintroduced to the touch toises, which are native to Cen- screens three months later, the cognitive enrichment,” Wil- tal care, so they have to learn kinson said. tral and South America, don’t how to make decisions about tortoises immediately began have a hippocampus, an area food and shelter for them- pecking on the same side as The study was published in the July issue of the journal Behavioral of the brain associated with selves from the moment they before. Processes: learning, memory and spatial hatch, she added. This behavior shouldn’t come Mueller-Paul, J., A. Wilkinson, U. In the main experiment, the as a surprise, said Vonk, who has trained orangutans, gorillas, Aust, M. Steurer, G. Hall, and L. tortoises pecked a red triangle Huber. 2014. Touchscreen perfor- chimpanzees and black bears in the center of the touch mance and knowledge transfer in screen. When two blue circles to use touch screens. the red-footed tortoise ( flashed, they had to consistent- “Side biases on touch screens carbonaria). Behavioural Processes ly peck either the circle on the are pretty strong,” Vonk told 106:187–192. right or the one on the left to Live Science. “As an animal This article was reprinted with get a treat. gets used to responding to a permission from LiveScience.com. The study’s authors assessed whether The original story may be found red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis All four of the tortoises mas- stimulus on one side, it can be pretty hard to break.” at: http:// carbonarius) could master touchscreen tered the touch-screen task, but www.livescience.com/47155- technology and transfer that knowledge two eventually stopped cooper- The new findings will help tortoise-touchscreen-learning.html. to a spatial arena. ating, possibly because they researchers compare the per- Page 10 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2 Book Review Biology and Conservation of North American Tortoises by Margaret Fusari and by the differences among climate change impacts; growth Hopefully the book will be populations, species, geogra- patterns depend on resource updated as more information Edited by 3 tortoise research- phies, recent climate histories, availability and quality; and becomes available. There are a ers and authored by 33 this and seasons, the data we have tortoises are social! They live in few references missing. Some book is a valued reference for show high variability. Beyond groups, they know each other chapters contain highly tech- anyone who wants to review the variability in the references (male-male and female-female), nical terms that will send read- North American tortoise sys- is that of the tortoises them- and they can reestablish their ers to a scientific dictionary. tematics, , phylogeny, selves in foraging and diet, social structure as changes There is no warning that to genetics, morphology, paleon- habitat use, reproductive strat- occur given appropriate oppor- handle tortoises almost always tology, physiology, behavior, egy, social interaction, and the tunities. (In other words mov- requires permits and training. reproduction, diet, growth, overall opportunism that both ing tortoises around has to be But overall this book is well health, ecology, biology, distri- desert and mesic species must done carefully and with pa- worth having. bution, and perhaps most im- show to survive. tience.) portant— Here are a few stand out con- • There is a comprehensive and issues. clusions coming from multiple introduction to the multiple The (current) five species; Go- chapters: diseases the tortoises face with pherus agassizii, G. morafkai, G. • There are two major lineages a glossary to help with the berlandieri, G. flavomarginatus, with further speciation events complex concepts. The warn- and G. polyphemus are all in on each. The first chapter pre- ing that stress can exacerbate need of protection based on sents the anatomical evidence, disease and the reference to the sound science and its interpre- the third the genetic evidence changing frequency of epizoot- tation. This volume will help and the second an overview of ic episodes is worth a lot of readers understand tortoises the fossil record. attention as human impacts better and help a lot of new change the way diseases affect researchers locate references • There is high variation in the mortality of tortoises in the because of the extensive bibli- forage species composition and field. ography. use due to geography, recent climate/weather, fire, grazing, • In Chapter 17, the names Biology and Conservation of Reading the Preface one is North American Tortoises and weed invasions. Under- Cracker chicken and Hoover struck by what the book could David C. Rostal, Earl D. McCoy, standing regionally important chicken cleverly explain one not do; come to an agreement Henry R. Mushinsky; editors forage potential helps to identi- change in why people needed as to what to call the tortoises. Johns Hopkins University Press fy long term habitat and/or to eat wild tortoises. Many Gopherus or Xerobates, Agassiz’s Hardcover, x + 190pp. restoration needs. people used to eat tortoises or Mojave, Morafka’s or Son- and moved them around a lot ISBN-13: 978-1-4214-1377-8 oran, Mojave or Mohave? But • Tortoises are ectotherms with over many decades or centu- $63.66 (listed) rather than be disappointed I a microenvironment awareness ries, a fact we need to remem- am impressed that we begin by superior to that of us endo- ber in geographic analysis and Editor’s Note: Copies of Biology realizing that we do not know therms. The potential impacts conservation strategy. and Conservation of North Ameri- it all yet; that more work does of climate change become clear can Tortoises are now available • Chapter 18 on threats and need to be done. because the local thermal (as from the Desert Tortoise Council well as nutritional and repro- conservation is a must read for at a hugely discounted rate: $45.00 The word “variable” appears ductive) environments are go- the complexity of the issues for members and $50 for non- frequently throughout the members. Copies will be available ing to change out of the adap- that tortoises face and to see book. Each group of chapter for purchase at the Council’s De- tive range of the local tortoises. possibilities for better focus authors has gathered the refer- and cooperation in supporting sert Tortoises and Field Tech- ences that exist and presented • In terms of tortoise repro- the future of tortoises and hab- niques workshop in Ridgecrest, California in November, as well as a synopsis of what is known. duction the temperature de- itat. the Annual Symposium in Las Because of variable methods pendent sex determination is Vegas in February. used by the various researchers important in any discussion of Page 11 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2 Long-term AZGFD Study Compromised by Tortoise Shooting

By L. Lambert The tortoise, numbered 679 in they are very difficult to find The Arizona Game and Fish the long-term research study, due to their small size and “Tortoise 679 was the Department is asking for the was the second tortoise to have second tortoise in the cryptic nature. So far, it has public’s help in solving a case a transmitter affixed and had long-term study to have revealed that even juvenile involving the unlawful killing provided some of the longest- a transmitter affixed and tortoises make long-distance of a Morafka’s desert tortoise running data to the study. Biol- had provided some of the movements to set up new near the Beeline Highway, ogists began tracking the fe- longest-running data.” home ranges, a pattern previ- about 15 miles north of Foun- male in 2010 and have since ously thought to occur only in tain Hills in Game Manage- located her nearly 300 times. A group. adults. ment Unit 22. total of 15 juvenile tortoises Public interest in the incident have transmitters and this was The study is the first of its kind The juvenile tortoise, which for juvenile tortoises because has raised the reward being had a transmitter affixed in the first mortality among the offered for information that 2010, was observed alive on leads to the case being solved. August 18th during routine In addition to the $500 being monitoring by the depart- offered through the Arizona ment’s nongame biologists, but Game and Fish Department’s was found dead by the biolo- Operation Game Thief, private gists on August 25th. Investi- individuals and organizations gators believe the tortoise was including the Arizona Herpeto- killed around August 20th. The logical Association, Desert tortoise had apparently suc- Tortoise Council, Phoenix cumbed to several gunshots. Herpetological Society, Sierra “The illegal killing of wildlife is Club, Tucson Herpetological always a concern, especially Society and Turtle and Tortoise when that animal is non- Preservation Group have threatening like the tortoise pledged and will reward an and it’s part of a long-running additional $1,850 in the event of a conviction. research study,” said Josh Tortoise 679 was part of a long-running research study. Hurst, the Operation Game “The public outcry over this Thief coordinator for Game case is exactly what you’d ex- and Fish. “The department has pect when a non-threatening been conducting research for animal like a tortoise is shot years to monitor and conserve multiple times and killed,” said desert tortoises – a protected Hurst. species – in an effort to help Anyone with information keep them off the federal En- about this killing can call the dangered Species List. Now the department’s Operation Game study has one less animal and Thief hotline toll-free at (800) years of study data is compro- 352-0700 or visit mised.” www.azgfd.gov/thief and refer The tortoise was also part of to case #14-002388. Callers Game and Fish’s Sponsor-A- may be eligible for a reward Turtle Program. A member of from the various entities that the public had been sponsoring have pledged reward money in this tortoise as a means of sup- this case. All calls may remain Carcass of Tortoise 679. Investigators believe the tortoise was killed on or porting the on-going research confidential upon request. around Aug. 20 2014. effort. Story reprinted courtesy AZGFD Page 12 The Desert Tortoise Council Newsletter Volume 39, Issue 2 Special Announcements Sponsors Sought for DTC Newsletter Interested in getting more ex- bers, and available for free Gold: Your organization’s logo posure for your organization download from our website presented in the sponsorship by sponsoring a non-profit? (www.deserttortoise.org/newsl section of the Newsletter for 4 Consider advertising in the etter.html). issues ($250). next issue of the Desert Tor- We are offering the following For more information on be- toise Council Newsletter! The sponsorship levels: coming a sponsor of the De- Council is currently seeking sert Tortoise Council Newslet- sponsors for upcoming issues Silver: Your organization’s ter, please contact Michael of the Newsletter, which is name mentioned in the spon- Tuma at mtuma published quarterly, distributed sorship section of the Newslet- @ecorpconsulting.com. via email to more than 500 of ter for 4 issues ($100). our members and past mem- Position Announcement: DTC Social Media Coordinator The Desert Tortoise Council, a presence and message on Desert Tortoise Council. If non-profit organization with a various social media platforms. you are interested learning mission of promoting the This is a volunteer position. more about the Social Media conservation of wild desert The ideal candidate would be Coordinator position, please tortoise populations and their an existing member of the contact Chris Noddings at habitats, is seeking a Social Desert Tortoise Council who is chris.noddings@cardno- Media Coordinator who will social media savvy, and who gs.com and enter “DTC assist in the development and wishes to become more Social Media Coordinator” maintenance of the Council’s involved in the mission of the in the subject line. Photo Gallery

Agassiz’s Desert Tortoise Gopher Tortoise Photo by Robb Hannawacker Photo by Jay Williams Photo by Clinton & Charles Robertson

The Desert Tortoise Council was established in 1976 to promote conservation of the desert tortoise in the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. The Council is a private, non-profit organization comprised of hundreds of professionals and laypersons who share a common concern for desert tortoises in the wild and a commitment to advancing the public’s understanding of the species. For the purposes of the Council, desert tortoise includes the species complex in the southwestern United States and in Mexico, currently referred to as Gopherus agassizii and Gopherus morafkai.