Re: Misinformation is a dangerous thing.

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Posted by Annie Lancaster-TortoiseAid on August 03, 2001 at 23:39:04:

In Reply to: Re: Misinformation is a dangerous thing. posted by Minnie on August 02, 2001 at 12:27:10:

: Are you the only person in CA that can place Desert tortoises?

Hi, no I am not, there are several who can. I live inthe Mojave Desert though, so I see more DT's than other people do.

: Everytime I go to the local tortoise club here people bring in their captive bred DT's to show off.

Aah...I know all about that..not a good idea because as people handle one and then another, that is one way mycoplasma and other diseases are spread. It's really sad. Many tortoise clubs have a "one tortoise per meeting" rule. Smart rule. If my warden was to show up at a meeting and see all of that going on, chances are all of those babies (and any adults that person has) would be confiscated and placed elsewhere.

Remember, the person keeping those tortoises does not own them. Many people think they can breed THEIR tortoises, but they are the property of the people of the state of California, and not an individual, permittees are only caretakers who are being allowed to care for these animals with the permission of the CA Dept. of Fish and Game.
Every one of those hatchling tortoises you see at those meetings was bred illegally, whether people realize it or not.

:Everyone knows that they can't be sold, etc, but I have never heard of anyone not being allowed to reproduce them and then adopt out the babies.

Well, it is true, here is the law:

CHAPTER 5.
NATIVE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS

40. General Provisions Relating to Native Reptiles and Amphibians.

(a) Prohibition on Take, Possession, Purchase, Propagation, Sale, Import, or Export.

It is unlawful to take, possess, purchase, propagate, sell, transport, import or export any native reptile or amphibian, or part thereof, except as provided in this chapter and in Chapter 2 of this subdivision relating to sportfishing and frogging.

: Also, I have twice had the occasion to have female desert tortoises come into my care. I immediately contacted the CA dept of Fish and Game and gave all my info to the officer. He then sent me all te paper work for registration. I told him up front that I could not keep them and that I would find appropriate homes. When the home were found I gave the info to the officer. I was thanked on both occasions for putting in the time and effort to place the animals in the best environment(ie: homes with no other species kept, appropraite knowledge of the care of DT's, secure and proper housing, etc). No mention was ever made of weither or not the receiving indidividuals had males.

Officers here ask...and do want to know. Sounds like you did a good job. :-)

: If people are breaking the law I need to get the word out, because no one in my neck of the woods(Yes, I live in CA) is even remotely aware about the propagation ban!

Well, not a ban, but the law has been in effect for many, many years.

Thanks for helping CDT's, it's much appreciated!

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: : : Are you the only person in CA that can place Desert tortoises? : Hi, no I am not, there are several who can. I live inthe Mojave Desert though, so I see more DT's than other people do. : : Everytime I go to the local tortoise club here people bring in their captive bred DT's to show off. : Aah...I know all about that..not a good idea because as people handle one and then another, that is one way mycoplasma and other diseases are spread. It's really sad. Many tortoise clubs have a "one tortoise per meeting" rule. Smart rule. If my warden was to show up at a meeting and see all of that going on, chances are all of those babies (and any adults that person has) would be confiscated and placed elsewhere. : Remember, the person keeping those tortoises does not own them. Many people think they can breed THEIR tortoises, but they are the property of the people of the state of California, and not an individual, permittees are only caretakers who are being allowed to care for these animals with the permission of the CA Dept. of Fish and Game. : Every one of those hatchling tortoises you see at those meetings was bred illegally, whether people realize it or not. : :Everyone knows that they can't be sold, etc, but I have never heard of anyone not being allowed to reproduce them and then adopt out the babies. : Well, it is true, here is the law: : CHAPTER 5. : NATIVE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS : 40. General Provisions Relating to Native Reptiles and Amphibians. : (a) Prohibition on Take, Possession, Purchase, Propagation, Sale, Import, or Export. : It is unlawful to take, possess, purchase, propagate, sell, transport, import or export any native reptile or amphibian, or part thereof, except as provided in this chapter and in Chapter 2 of this subdivision relating to sportfishing and frogging. : : Also, I have twice had the occasion to have female desert tortoises come into my care. I immediately contacted the CA dept of Fish and Game and gave all my info to the officer. He then sent me all te paper work for registration. I told him up front that I could not keep them and that I would find appropriate homes. When the home were found I gave the info to the officer. I was thanked on both occasions for putting in the time and effort to place the animals in the best environment(ie: homes with no other species kept, appropraite knowledge of the care of DT's, secure and proper housing, etc). No mention was ever made of weither or not the receiving indidividuals had males. : Officers here ask...and do want to know. Sounds like you did a good job. :-) : : If people are breaking the law I need to get the word out, because no one in my neck of the woods(Yes, I live in CA) is even remotely aware about the propagation ban! : Well, not a ban, but the law has been in effect for many, many years. : Thanks for helping CDT's, it's much appreciated!

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