Resources For Captive Or Found Tortoises
The Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee does not take in captive tortoises nor do we have the authority to handle cases of found wild tortoises. That being said, there is a wonderful network of agencies and non-profit organizations that can handle these situations.
Captive Tortoises
Due to the desert tortoise being a state and federally-listed species, it is considered illegal to own a captive tortoise without a permit. It is also Illegal for anyone to breed captive tortoises, with or without a permit. If you are interested in adopting a tortoise or re-homing your tortoise, please contact the California Turtle and Tortoise Club at www.tortoise.org.
If you have questions about how to properly care for your tortoise, visit Desert Tortoise Care Sheet
Wild Tortoises
If you find a wild tortoise, it is considered illegal to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct. If you live within the known desert tortoise range and find a tortoise, it is best to leave it alone unless it is in imminent danger. If you find a trapped wild tortoise, please contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at Wildlife Incident Report or contact the Non-Game Wildlife Program. Your local branch of the Bureau of Land Management may also be able to handle the situation.
If you find a tortoise in the middle of the road and believe it to be in imminent danger, you may move it off the road. Approach the tortoise slowly in front of him/her. Slowly pick the tortoise up and, holding it close to the ground, move it off the road in the direction that it was travelling. Place it under a bush if there is one nearby.
If you come across an injured or dead tortoise, or have any questions, please contact the BLM Wildlife Biologist at 760-384-5400.
If you live outside the known desert tortoise range and find a desert tortoise, it is very likely a stray captive tortoise. It is best to place the tortoise out of harms way and search for the owners in your area. If you are unable to locate the owners, contact the California Turtle & Tortoise Club. Below is a map of the known desert tortoise range, borrowed from the Desert Tortoise Recovery Implementation Office.