found a tortoise

[badkitty]

My sister's boyfriend found a tortoise on the highway in Northern AZ.
It looks like a desert tortoise to me but I'm no expert lol
Could anyone confirm sex, it looks female to me??

 

[Laura]

it is a desert tort.. and it should be taken back to exactly where it was found, and released.. asap..
although.. once they are taken out of the wild... Im not sure what the rules are for returning them.
I understand saving it off the hiway.. but it should not have been taken..

 

[badkitty]

yeah I agree but he had already taken it home before he called

 

[Vishnu2]

Beautiful tortoise. You should return it to it's home sooner than later though. It will be happier.

 

[dmmj]

Desert tortoise, looks male to me. Before you take it back check your state's rules on rereleasing tortoises.

 

[Eweezyfosheezy]

Looks like a female desert tortoise to me. Where exactly in Northern AZ?

 

[wellington]

I personally would not check the laws and just return it now. Wild should never be taken, unless it is hurt or injured. Then rehabbed and released. Release it back where it was taken, except not on or close to The highway.

 

[Jacqui]

I personally would not check the laws and just return it now. Wild should never be taken, unless it is hurt or injured. Then rehabbed and released. Release it back where it was taken, except not on or close to The highway.

My thoughts too. If he is responsible enough to not want it hit by a car, then he should also be willing to take it right back where he found it. Then if he wants one to keep in captivity, he should adopt one of the ones from the AZ people. As I recall they have lots more tortoises waiting for homes, then homes can be found for,

 

[harris]

I personally would not check the laws and just return it now.

Agree 100%.

 

[Jacqui]

Meantime, be sure he does not place it in with any other animals.

 

[badkitty]

Thanks everyone I will let him know the best thing to do is return it to where he found it.
Again not my tortoise I would never take a wild desert tortoise from it's natural habitat. My desert torts are captive bred which were rehomed to me.

 

[Madkins007]

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!

Desert tortoises are VERY susceptible to human-borne diseases. There have been several wild populations that have been infected and suffered losses, thought to be due to infected pets being released. http://www.tortoise-tracks.org/publications/jacobson.html

This is the primary reason for the laws against releasing tortoises back to the wild. Tortoises kept in captivity should be surrendered to a rehabilitation program so they can be dealt with in the best ways possible.