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Show Amnesty for tortoise owners The Division of Wildlife Resources has issued an offer of amnesty . to those people who have a desert tortoise in their possession. The desert tortoise has been protected by state law since May, 1971. Al Heggen, the Division's research chief, said persons can turn the desert tortoises in to assist in a reestablishment project. Regional offices or conservation officers can verify species and accept the Utah native species. Tortoises will be accepted April 1 through 30. The reptiles will be stocked in areas from which they have nearly been eliminated in j Washington County. Before the 1971 protection, many tortoises were taken for the pet trade, resulting in almost complete decimation of the population in certain areas. Most western states offer similar protection and also prohibit importation and exportation. Following the amnesty period, enforcement activity will resume in areas of the state where desert, tortoise occur, according to Division Law Enforcement Chief, John Nagel. A Utah State University student, Eric Coombs, who is studying the desert tortoise with Division and Bureau of Land Management funds, proposed the program to restock areas with tortoises now being held as pets. |