in     by 29 Palms Inn  25-09-2017
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The desert tortoise is just one of the many unique animals that calls the Mojave Desert home, and as a threatened species, they need our help! Join The Living Desert and the Tortoise Rock Casino this Saturday, September 30, 2017 for a great education event, and learn how you can help increase awareness of the plight of the desert tortoise.

Desert Tortoise Celebration Sept 30,2017

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens and the TwentyNine Palms Band of Mission Indians are partnering to create awareness of the vulnerable desert tortoise. They will be hosting a family-friendly celebration of the desert tortoise on Saturday, September 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside Tortoise Rock Casino, 73829 Baseline Rd., Twentynine Palms.

The day’s events, open to all ages, include encounters with a live desert tortoise, interactive learning experiences, educational chats, crafts, games, face painting, photo booth, and music. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet and take a photo with The Living Desert’s Mojave Maxine mascot. In addition, there will be giveaways and a free barbeque boxed lunch by Dickey’s Barbeque Pit, while supplies last.

“The Living Desert is thrilled to partner with the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians to help educate the public about our precious desert tortoises,” said Allen Monroe, President and CEO of The Living Desert. “It’s important for people to know that the desert tortoise is classified as a threatened species. If the public understands their plight, they can take actions to help ensure they have a long, healthy future.” The desert tortoise is the grand survivor of California’s desert, having roamed the land for tens of thousands of years. To escape the extreme heat, desert tortoises spend most their time underground in burrows and venture out to mainly eat and drink. Desert tortoise numbers are declining due to the expanding human population and other environmental factors, such as increased predators. Many people are unaware that ravens are a major predator of desert tortoises. Uncovered trash bins have contributed to an increase in raven populations, causing further declines in desert tortoise numbers. Researchers are closely monitoring the tortoise populations and working to address the many threats.

According to The Living Desert, the following are some tips to protect these animals: Keep the desert clean, do not touch or disturb desert tortoise in the wild, stay on designated roads and trails, check under parked vehicles, and always watch for tortoises on roads and trails.

The Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians knows that protecting the desert tortoise is a longterm effort. The Tribe established a conservation area in 2013 for tortoise protection, and continues to spread the word by training employees and conducting outreach.

“Not only is the desert tortoise, or ‘Aya, woven into our ancestral Chemehuevi heritage as a symbol of wisdom, but Tortoise Rock Casino was named to celebrate its significant role in our desert ecosystem,” said Darrell Mike, Chairman of the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians. “This is a great opportunity for families to join us for a fun and entertaining day, while learning how to protect the threatened desert tortoise.”

For more information about The Living Desert visit www.LivingDesert.org. For more information about Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians and Tortoise Rock Casino, visit www.TortoiseRockCasino.com.

 

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