EF 605B - USA: TORTOISES
61 views · Published 18 November 2018 · 5:04 · Indexed 23 October 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(31 Mar 1994) EF 605B - USA: TORTOISES t/c 5:57-10:59 SYNOPSIS: The US fish and Wildlife Service has stirred up controversy around Las Vegas in the Mojave Desert, by declaring the humble desert tortoise a 'threatened species' and clamping down on development and cattle ranching. Major building companies had to agree to monitoring by biologists, and a $500 per acre levy to pay for a desert tortoise conservation centre. Many ranchers have been told to stop running cattle on the desert, and have been forced into other occupations. The moves followed a dramatic 70% decline in tortoise numbers in the western Mojave since 1980. Biologists believe the cause may be a fatal respiratory disease, predation of young by ravens and the activities of man. some believe the whole desert eco-system may be changing. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/7d9032441027dc17fc7aba959ba46fd4
