Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have tried to contact the Sonoran Desert Museum but no reply yet. On another web-site people are saying that almost ANYBODY can become certified as a adoptee of a Gopher tortoise. This is from people of Arizona but I also did the research of laws of other Gopher tortoise states of the west and southwest. It seems that you can indeed become a recipient of your resident state as a adoptee. But to what extent is the criteria of becoming a " certified " owner and are these species tagged or implanted so you cannot sell or release them ? While I came upon many relocation and recovery Gopher Tortoise sites, it was vague on venues of doing so. AND i guess if this was done by an agency that testing would be done on the virus that these species can carry relating to the virus thing of wild populations. OR is it because of captive animals becoming immune to natural virus and released that end up getting and carrying the virus due to their immune system of captivity ? I was also wondering if the captive born either on purpose or accidental was up for re-releasing back into the wild.........

Thanks for any in-site or info on this matter.........
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I may be old , cantankerous, crabby, and cynical, but......

I am unsure what you are asking...but... In California, DFG issues numbered tags to be attached to the registered tortoises shell. It is for all practical purposes thereafter, your property. Az. I think retains "ownership" of the tortoise, but you arrange to be a caregiver. Nevada also has a salvage program for the tortoise impacted by the relentless development in that state. I do not think anyone responsible would advocate the release of captives, captive bred or even relocate/transport wild animals into new areas. Many well meaning efforts have failed in the past, and most Gopherus populations now are in decline due to URI and other diseases formerly not known. Remaining populations will probably do best if kept isolated from new pathogens, genetics etc. Maybe the day will come when extirpated populations will be reestablished by careful introduction of certified healthy stock, but that is only speculation and should not be done without extensive testing/research and cautious consideration.

a runaround on asking the question of ( not from you poster )what makes someone certified to have them in the private ownership but then as you pointed out, not totally because they are still of state animals with the protection thing. I finally got through to the state of Arizona wildlife and am awaiting answers. The Museum answered but unless I didn't ask the same pertaining questions as I have here on my post, didn't answer the criteria part of " how to ". AND one of the recovery agencies didn't either. I did get a hint that possibly some of the adopted tortoises are implanted with the very small devices for tracking if it ever came up for the need. The very most question that I asked the state that I may have forgotten to before was > is there an opportunity for a recipient to have or to receive more than a single adopted tortoise ? I don't know...maybe they think I'm up to something because I state right off the bat that I am of non-resident and only seeking info. LOL !
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I may be old , cantankerous, crabby, and cynical, but......

In Arizona you may adopt more than one animal. Depending on what area of the state you are residing, there are different adoption agencies. The fish and game people can give you a local number of the adoption agency in your area. I only know of research animals in AZ being tagged. The agencies in Phoenix and Tucson will go out to your home and verify that your setup is adequate for tortoise care. After that if you and your yard pass their criteria then you would be put on a waiting list. You are able to obtain captive bred tortoises without going through an agency. It is illegal to transport them accross state lines however.