These photos are of the destruction of wildlife habitat by developers.
After viewing the photos, please see campaign information at the bottom of this page.
Thank you.
These photos are of what the parcels/habitat looked like during the spring time months. Much of this is old desert growth.
Numerous species of animals call areas like this home.
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The new construction to the left side of this photo was started just a few weeks ago. Many animals moved into the parcel (that you see being graded) due to loss of habitat. |
As the machines roared through this parcel stripping it clean, those animals which could escape in time came to the east...those who are nocturnal, or couldn't were crushed or entombed. Many species, when frightened seek shelter in their burrows, they do not run. |
Four hours later, another 5 acres devoid of vegetation.
Some of these yucca were estimated to be well over 100 years old
We dug through the piles of destroyed Yucca, and quickly transplanted any that had roots and a slim chance of survival.
Update: All but the two smallest yucca, and the largest "trunk" are showing growth!
This photo shows just how close the destruction of this habitat is to TortoiseAid property.
This parcel will be scraped nearly clear of vegetation very soon. It is the only parcel left to the west of newly graded land.
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Beautiful old wash, home to numerous species of reptiles, ground dwelling birds and small mammals. Wash and land to the east to the new trees planted is TortoiseAid property. |
Area to the right of wash in this picture is being badly degraded by off road vehicles.
| Update: The young mesquite trees have taken root and have shown new growth. We sunk a large post in cement in the middle, keeping larger vehicle traffic out, but it still needs protection from quads and dirt bikes. |
The "post" sticking out of the ground on the left side, near the lower corner is the property line.
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Not only wildlife is affected by rapid grading of land. This dog was struck by a displaced Mojave Rattlesnake 3 hours after grading. He nearly died, saved by a very good vet, but with a $1000.00 hospital bill!
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After the recent events here (in which native habitat was, and continues to be destroyed by developers) we are swarming with wildlife on (TortoiseAid) property. We have a responsibility to provide these animals with the help they need during the time they attempt to find alternate shelter and food sources, and/or attempt to permanently re-establish themselves here. We also need to protect the few remaining Joshua trees from rodents. For an interesting article on Joshua tree predation by rodents with insufficient food and water sources, click HERE If you would like to help by making a donation, just $20.00 will purchase enough bird seed to feed over 200 displaced wild birds for approximately one week, $50.00 will purchase a bat house capable of permanently housing over 100 bats!
In addition, the property directly to the east is slated for grading this winter. It is very important to install all available safeguards we are able to for wildlife now displaced, as well as wildlife which will become displaced in the very near future. This is a rough assessment of animals displaced by recent building activities, and the solution(s) necessary to ensure their survival: MAMMALS: BATS: Big-eared Bat, Pallid Bat, California Myotis, Mexican Free Tailed Bat, Brazilian Free-tailed Bat, California Leaf Nosed Bat and others. Solution(s) Bat houses, 7 large. Each will house 75 to 100 adult bats. Bat houses to be permanently installed on TortoiseAid property. For those bats which migrate to the south for the winter, they need shelter until it is time for winter migration, and a place to return to the following spring. Bats leaving this fall will return in Spring to no habitat in which to call home. Bats can llive as long as 30 years. Mojave Yucca and other large plants were destroyed, leaving bats with little shelter. The bat houses will give bats a safe permanent refuge, and will enable them to travel within the same ecosystem to feed nightly. As mesquite trees we've planted to the east border mature, much additional shelter will be available not only for bats, but all birds. Dropped seed pods from mature trees will provide important forage for many animal species. DESERT KANGAROO RAT: Unknown number entombed, several dozen killed. (Update, as of this summer, our entire population of Kangraroo rats seems to be GONE.) WHITE TAILED ANTELOPE SQUIRREL: 9 killed, unknown number entombed. MOJAVE GROUND SQUIRREL-Unknown number killed, entombed. SOLUTION: Offer safe sanctuary and seed sources (food) as all were removed. Both species need safe sanctuary to dig new burrows. DESERT (Audubon) COTTONTAIL RABBIT, BLACK TAILED JACKRABBIT SOLUTION: Provide native shrubbery, which will
provide safe refuge until they settle into new burrows. (shrubbery
listed under birds) We currently have many juvenile and adult
rabbits of both species on the property (which were displaced) Provide
forage grass hays and two water stations, one to the north border and
one to the south border, both on TortoiseAid property. BIRDS: CALIFORNIA QUAIL: Over 150 adult and juvenile quail were displaced. Numerous fledglings were killed. GAMBEL'S QUAIL, GREAT HORNED OWL WESTERN BURROWING OWL: Unknown number entombed, 3 juveniles killed. GREATER ROADRUNNER: Several juveniles killed. Unknown number displaced. CACTUS WREN: 10 known nests destroyed. HUMMINGBIRD: Numerous species: Nesting areas, food sources destroyed ANNA'S HUMMINGBIRD, COSTA'S HUMMINGBIRD LESSER NIGHTHAWK: 2 nests destroyed, unknown casualties. RED-TAILED HAWK, ROCK WREN, NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD, PRAIRIE FALCON Habitat for these animals mainly consists of thick, tall brush in which they rear young, hide from predators and protect themselves from temperature extremes. SAGE
THRASHER, VERDIN,
SONG
SPARROW, HOUSE
FINCH, LAWRENCE'S
GOLDFINCH, HOUSE
SPARROW, LARK
SPARROW, HOUSE
WREN, LE
CONTE'S THRASHER, SOLUTION: Plant acclimatized, native bushes and additional native trees on TortoiseAid property (Wolfberry, Mormon Tea, Paper Bag Bush, Creosote Bush, Mesquite trees, Winter Fat, Desert Sage and other scrub) to give sufficient protection/cover to displaced birds, lizards. Burrowing owls live in holes dug by mammals, and also need protection until they may find new homes. Many diurnal birds also sleep deep within the branches of large brush at night to stay protected from predators. Hummingbirds need additional nectar bearing bushes, as most all were removed. Install 5 giant sized (bee proof) hummingbird feeders throughout the property to give both resident and displaced birds sufficient food until plant life grows to a stage to which it will flower and provide a sufficient food source. Provide vitamin-fortified hummingbird food throughout 2010. Install several permanent feeding stations (which will also include suet holders) for remaining wild birds with appropriate feeds. Rodent proofing a necessity. Number of stations needed: at least 4. REPTILES/AMPHIBIANS: COLLARED LIZARD, DESERT NIGHT LIZARD, SAGEBRUSH LIZARD, GILBERT'S SKINK, CALIFORNIA KINGSNAKE, COACHWHIP (RED RACER), MOJAVE FRINGE-TOED LIZARD, GOPHER SNAKE, BANDED GECKO, WESTERN SHOVELNOSE SNAKE, ROSY BOA, DESERT IGUANA, WESTERN SIDE BLOTCHED LIZARD And others. SOLUTION Fence remainder of existing private property (1.5 acres) to provide animals safe refuge from predators/cars/trucks/grading. Fence to be 5' chain link, which will allow animals to enter and exit this area of the property at-will, as most all do fit through the holes in the fencing so that they may forage about in other areas, but still have safe refuge which will not be destroyed. Southern (front) of the property to attach to the existing fencing. This will keep off-road vehicles out of areas to be protected. The front of the property will require two drive through gates. Fence the large wash to the east of the property, to protect from off-road vehicles. This wash is home to dozens of species of animals (and plants) and must be protected. Fencing this area will allow animals which are now, and will soon be displaced by developers wash a safe, permanent refuge, and will also protect native plant life. Must include gates for access at each end by fire/emergency personnel, as this wash is an emergency easement (if needed). A three-rail fence will be sufficient to allow wildlife in and out, but protect this area from further destruction.
If you have any questions, please contact us at: tortoiseaid@tortoise-aid.org
UPDATE: Please DO NOT contact us, asking us to catch animals for you! We will not sell wildlife. Period. TortoiseAid International Inc. is a CONSERVATION and RESCUE organization. We do not take animals out of their wild homes. The physical address for this sanctuary is not mistakenly not listed. It has been omitted to protect animals from those who wish to exploit them. Our goal is to help wild animals remain wild, not to supply greedy reptile dealers. Thank you.
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