Texas Tortoises

[ATXTortoises]

Hi folks,

I just joined after constantly reading threads from Google searches. Great forum.

I'm the proud owner of a 10 y/o Geochelone pardalis and a ~10y/o Geochelone carbonaria. I'm in Austin and have worked both at a small pet store and vet hospital here. Recently I've gotten the urge to get into Gopherus berlandieri with the idea of actually helping do some good. I would like any advice on what I could do, legally to obtain one or a CB pair or assist with rescues etc. I realize they are protected. Does the TXPW encourage citizens to get involved with this species?

Many thanks,

Patrick

 

[tortadise]

Welcome patrick. Texas parks and wildlife is the people to go through. The permit is to obtain one that cannot be placed back in the wild or is a rescue animal from construction site or was injured. The game warden will inspect your property upon permit application review. Im not sure if your going to find a captive pair. Usually you get what you find at shelters. Good luck they are awesome tortoises.

 

[ATXTortoises]

Welcome patrick. Texas parks and wildlife is the people to go through. The permit is to obtain one that cannot be placed back in the wild or is a rescue animal from construction site or was injured. The game warden will inspect your property upon permit application review. Im not sure if your going to find a captive pair. Usually you get what you find at shelters. Good luck they are awesome tortoises.

Thanks for the advice. I never know how enthusiastic a gov agency is about Joe citizen getting involved in species protection etc. I'll soon find out. There are many beautiful tortoises out there, but I'm fascinated by our native one.

 

[tortadise]

Oh yeah they are awesome. I have had many of them. But had to downscale my number of animals, (which is slowly pfff more like rapidly climbing back in numbers). They are awesome.