Desert Storm
Tortoise Detection
In the late winter of 2008, Storm and I got an amazing opportunity. We were selected to train to find Mojave Desert Tortoises which are an endangered species. For four weeks in March, we were sent gauze pads with tortoise scent to train on. Of course, in Ravenna, OH, we were training in the snow even though we would be in hot desert terrain in Las Vegas.
Finally, the day came to leave. There was a huge pile of gear to be loaded in the truck since we would be gone for five weeks.
Storm and I drove to Las Vegas in three long days. For the five weeks that we were there, we lived in a hotel, a really nice one with a living room, kitchen and bedroom.
Each day, we went to the Desert Tortoise Center to train.
We had to transition the dogs from scent pads to the actual tortoises. We trained at the center for three weeks, seven days a week.
Finally, we were ready.
The dogs had to wear boots on their feet because the sand would irritate their paws. At first, Storm didn't like the boots, but he got used to them. Notice how the wind is blowing Storm's ears back.
Each dog and handler team was assigned an biologist intern to work with them. They went with us into the desert and when the dog indicated that they had found a tortoise, the intern checked it out. Our intern was Hannah. See her below with Storm and me.
If the tortoise was above ground, it was easy. But if they were in a burrow or under the cactus or creosote plants, they were hard to see. When we found baby torts (as we called them) they would put a transmitter on them so they could track their movements.
Each handler had to carry an umbrella in their pack. When we stopped for a break or lunch, we would put it over the dog so he would have some shade. When Storm wasn't working, he would take a nap.
A lot of people were involved in the protection of this endangered species. Besides the seven handlers and dogs there were the biology interns, a professional dog trainer, and the supervisors who conducted the study.
Hopefully, this will help the survival of the Mojave Desert Tortoises. If we don't help take care of our earth and it's inhabitants, many will die out, never to be seen again.