YUMA DAILY SUN (Arizona) 12 August 07 Tortoises needed for Game and Fish health study (Sarah Reynolds)
Desert Tortoise owners are being asked to participate in a health study of the animals, according to Gary Hovatter, of the Yuma office of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Arizona Game and Fish Department officials are asking for local tortoise owners to help them study a disease spreading among the captive desert animals.
According to Gary Hovatter, spokesman for the Yuma area's Game and Fish office, an upper respiratory tract disease has caused a massive die-off among desert tortoises in the Mojave Desert area in southeast California.
While they have not seen this happen yet in Arizona, biologists are doing a widespread study to gather information on the disease's causes and possible effects on the state's tortoise population.
Cristina Jones, the desert turtles projects coordinator with the Arizona Game and Fish Department in Phoenix, will be in Yuma Aug. 18 and 19 to take samples from local tortoises.
All tortoise owners who can attend are asked to bring their pets to the Game and Fish office for testing. Experts will draw blood and take nasal samples from the animals.
Testing takes about 15 to 30 minutes for each individual tortoise and will not harm the animal.
Experts will also be available to answer questions on care, diet and proper yard habitat.
Hovatter said the disease seems to be more common among captive tortoises than in those living in the wild. It does not affect humans but people can carry it on their hands and infect their pets.
Tortoises are a threatened species in the Mojave Desert area.
It is unlawful to touch, harm, harass or collect wild desert tortoises in the desert but they can be legally adopted through Game and Fish.
Tortoises can also be sold by owners who have bred their male and female pets.
Hovatter said this clinic is not a law enforcement endeavor. He said they are just gathering health data, and are not asking those who come how they acquired their tortoises.
For more information, to schedule an appointment or ask about tortoise adoption, call the Yuma Game and Fish office at 342-0091.
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-WHAT'S GOING ON: Desert tortoise experts from the Arizona Game and Fish Department will be in the Yuma area to take blood and nasal samples from captive tortoises for a health study. Experts will also answer questions on care, diet and habitat.
-WHO'S INVOLVED: The Arizona Game and Fish Department and area desert tortoise owners
-WHEN: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19. Individual tests take 15 to 30 minutes.
-WHERE: The Arizona Game and Fish Department Region IV Office in the Foothills, 9140 E. 28th St.
-WHY: Game and Fish officials are conducting a study of upper respiratory tract disease in captive tortoises. This disease has caused a massive die-off in the western Mojave Desert, though this has not occurred yet in Arizona.
-HOW MUCH: The clinic is free to tortoise owners as part of a study funded by Game and Fish.
-WHAT TO BRING: Any owner who can attend is encouraged to bring their tortoise. According to Game and Fish officials, a minimum of 50 samples from tortoises are needed for the study to be meaningful. Individuals willing to participate should call Game and Fish at 342-0091 to schedule an appointment.
Tortoises needed for Game and Fish health study