Wild Animals

Wild Tortoise Habitat Protection

Land tortoises face habitat loss, road mortality, and collection for the pet trade that threaten populations and individual welfare globally.

Key Facts

Desert tortoise populations in the American Southwest have declined 90% since the 1950s
Road mortality is a major killer of tortoises in developed areas
Tortoises removed from the wild for pets face stress, malnutrition, and early death
Tortoises live decades and have complex habitat and thermal requirements

Welfare Considerations

Tortoises removed from wild habitats experience chronic welfare compromise from inappropriate environments, nutrition, and temperature management in captivity. Their long lives mean that welfare failures extend over decades. Wild tortoise habitat protection prevents both population decline and individual suffering.

What You Can Do

Never purchase wild-caught tortoises for pets
Support tortoise road-crossing mitigation programs in tortoise habitat areas
Donate to desert tortoise habitat protection and restoration projects
Engage with land management agencies about tortoise habitat protection in development planning