Tortoises Saved from Illegal Rescue in Joshua Tree

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My name is Amy and I unexpectedly rescued 30 very sick tortoises from an illegally-run 'rescue' in December. These tortoises belonged to the Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue, operating under tax exemption status for donations. I was unable to locate public information on the legality of the Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue, or determine if they ever had any desert tortoise permits. I was also unable to obtain any proof that the rescue was legally allowed to possess desert tortoises. Upon speaking with officials responsible for desert tortoises, I was told they had been operating without the proper permits necessary for years. None of the desert tortoises I rescued had paperwork identifying where they had come from, let alone permits. This rescue, now finally dissolved, has been operating and collecting donations for two decades or more and had well over 100 desert tortoises and close to 20 large sulcata tortoises in their possession at one point.

By the time I was notified that their tortoises were in danger, most of the tortoises were unaccounted for or had perished. All I was able to find and remove alive from the Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue were 24 desert tortoises and 6 sulcata tortoises. The sulcata tortoises, which do not brumate/hibernate, had no proper housing or any source of heat, which is critical this time of year. The desert tortoises were contained in small pens without proper shelter. All tortoises had no access to fresh water or food. Many dead tortoises remained on the property that were in varying stages of decomposition. One of the women listed on the tax-exemption form, Nonnie Saunders, helped me remove the tortoises, seemingly unfazed by the death and sickness around us on the property. I'm still unsure if we were able to find all the live tortoises underground.

I immediately began working with Dr. Barton Huber and his wonderful team at the Animal Medical Center of Corona who provided immediate veterinary care to the tortoises. Veterinary bills have exceeded $10,000 and continue to grow. Dr. Ann McDowell at Chaparral Pet Hospital has also been very instrumental in providing free care for several sick tortoises and still has a few at her hospital that aren't stable enough to be fostered or adopted. Since the rescue, 3 desert tortoises have died as a result of neglect and improper care. All 24 desert tortoises had respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia. All required multiple treatments with antibiotics. 4 tortoises required tubes in their necks through which they were given medication, food, and fluids. This was necessary to save their lives, as they were too sick and emaciated to eat on their own. Bone, shell, skin fragments and plastic bags were found within their excrement and seen upon CT scans. Dr. Huber believes some were eating other tortoises as no other food source was provided for them. These tortoises do not eat meat or plastic bags - they did this out of desperation to survive. A necropsy was performed on one of the desert tortoises that died immediately after the rescue. Dr. Huber said there was nothing inside of it when he opened it up and scanned it, showing that it died from total starvation and dehydration.

Supplies that very quickly had to be obtained included bins to house them in, lamps and bulbs to bring all tortoises up to at least 80 degrees, food, medication refills, and syringes. My electricity bill for the first month after the rescue came to $699.25. About 2000 miles have been driven to and from the veterinary offices - over 70 gallons of gas.

Some amazing people, including Danielle Wall, known for her community rattlesnake relocation service, have stepped in to help and have spent their own money to accommodate the tortoise they are fostering or adopting. Danielle has a 55 lb sulcata tortoise in her home that has required weekly bandage changes for shell rot, due to it sitting in decomposing matter and exposure to dampness and cold temperatures. Some adopters are having to build enclosures for tortoises that weigh up to 100 lbs,

or pay for tortoise food and supplies like large heating pads that are necessary this time of year, especially for a very sick animal.

Desert tortoises were placed on the Federal Endangered Species List in 1990 with a current status of "threatened". Their status is currently under review and may be elevated to "endangered" in April of this year. As a tortoise-lover, seeing the level of suffering of these animals has been unimaginable. Many have been fostered or adopted but almost 10 are still requiring close attention and care.

Please contribute to the overwhelming cost of this rescue as it is still ongoing and to the placement and set-up of stable tortoises in appropriate homes. 21 of the 24 desert tortoises rescued are still alive and fighting. All 6 sulcatas rescued are still alive and getting stronger each day.

My apologies for the graphic photos below that are hard to look at. This is the reality and legacy of the Joshua Tree Tortoise Rescue and the destruction they've left behind. We are grateful that a handful managed to survive and have been working hard to restore them to good health and place them in good homes where they will finally receive the proper care and love they have always deserved.

Necrotic gular horn and scutes on a 55 lb sulcata that was debrided and bandaged. Danielle continues to do weekly bandage changes in her home.

Desert tortoise that died from starvation and dehydration, per Dr. Huber.

75 lb sulcata tortoise with an Esophagostomy tube. This tortoise didn't even register a temperature when I brought it in.

Desert tortoise with cracked plastron that had to be cleaned out and sealed with epoxy.

Dead desert tortoise wrapped and frozen following necropsy by Dr. Huber.

Large abscess on the head of a desert tortoise that was surgically opened and cleaned. This tortoise has since died, likely due to prolonged starvation and dehydration and the organ damage sustained as a result.