How does someone adopt a tortoise?
If the desert tortoise is on the federal list of threatened and endangered species, how is it that they are available for adoption? When the Mojave Desert population of the desert tortoise was listed in August 1989, the wild tortoise received protection under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (amended). Those tortoises legally held in captivity prior to the listing date were considered pre-Act tortoises, not protected under the Act. However, tortoises hatched in captivity after the listing date, are protected under the Act. They may be maintained in captivity without a Federal endangered species permit provided they are given proper care and not subjected to harmful conditions(such as being kept indoors and fed a deficient diet). Pre-Act tortoises and those hatched in captivity after the listing may be adopted without special permit or registration.
