Fort Irwin NTC Southern Expansion + Translocation
OVERVIEWWilder biologists Nate Jones and Liana Harp were subcontracted with many dozens of other desert biologists to conduct desert tortoise clearance surveys on 36 square miles of US Army training lands. The surveys yielded more than 500 tortoises, and all were moved off base and out of the planned impact area.
The US Army Fort Irwin National Training Center underwent a training area expansion. In compliance with USFWS agency guidance, approximately 36 square miles of desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) habitat were surveyed and cleared of resident tortoises, in advance of military operations in the area.
The tortoises were moved to comparable habitat nearby, and subsequently sampled in a series of long term (5+ years) studies that were undertaken to determine the effects of this large translocation event on those animals that were moved, as well as the resident animals already living in the recipient areas.
Wilder Ecological Principal Biologists Nate Jones and Liana Harp participated in the effort, subcontracted to assist in clearance, translocation, and data collection for scientific evaluation of the effects of the translocation.
SERVICES INCLUDED:Survey team lead and field biologist for desert tortoise clearance surveys
Hundreds of potential desert tortoise burrows excavated
Artificial desert tortoise burrow construction
Team lead and field biologist for subsequent tortoise translocation
Desert tortoise biologists for tagging, transmitter attachment/removal, and radio telemetry tracking of hundreds of desert tortoises over a period of three years
Data collection (X-ray, morphometrics) for desert tortoise reproductive health study
Plant community characterization and structure – Strip transects for perennial plant community and Desert Tortoise habitat assessments
SEE MORE CASE STUDIES:
