Three years ago, I moved to the hi-desert community of Yucca Valley, California. One of the reasons I chose this area was because of "Cecil," my adopted desert tortoise. After all, the Mojave Desert is the natural home of the threatened California Desert Tortoise, and I was sure he would love returning to his roots in the natural confines of my home. And Cecil did flourish, for about 7 months. That's when a meter reader accidentally left the backyard gate open, and Cecil wandered off.
The next 3 days were a nightmare. I frantically called every agency I could imagine. "How do I try to locate my lost desert tortoise?" I desperately asked. No one had any idea. After posting flyers promising a large reward, I received a call from my little neighbor boy. Cecil had been flipped over on his back and was being chewed on by a dog. The boy chased the dog away, saw Cecil's California Department of Fish and Game tags on his rear shell and took the tortoise home.
Reunited with Cecil, I decided that something must be done to educate the local residents about these regal creatures with whom they closely share their desert environment. Hence was born the Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue.
Within several months, I was granted a wildlife rehab permit and set up a network of wildlife rescue agencies, conservancy and land management organizations. I enlisted the help of Joshua Tree National Park, veterinarians, pet shops, the 29 Palms Marine Base, the local nature museum, schools and community service organizations in a massive effort to educate the local residents and visitors to the hi-desert regarding the plight of the California Desert Tortoise. The Rescue now takes in and rehabilitates almost 150 tortoises per year.
Yucca Valley, CA
