3 Desert Tortoises Killed By Vehicles At Joshua Tree National Park

Above, the south entrance from Interstate 10. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The increase in the number of visitors to Joshua Tree National Park is threatening the park's wildlife, particularly the population of desert tortoises.

According to KPCC:

People driving in Joshua Tree National Park are being asked to watch out for wildlife after the deaths of three desert tortoises in the past week. 

Two of the tortoises were killed in a campground.

I had a desert tortoise that my aunt gave me in 1969. We had him (named "Gus") for 30 years in Hawthorne, until a careless neighbor removed the property fence and he escaped.

People visiting all national parks should exercise great care while driving to protect the wildlife.

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