Today is National Wildlife Day, and the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy is using the  date to highlight one of the animals that live in the Scottsdale preserve - the Sonoran Desert Tortoise.

Throughout the year, the conservancy conducts scientific surveys to monitor wildlife populations and the overall health of the preserve’s ecosystem, and it is now in the middle of a three-year Tortoise Movement Study.

The conservancy's work meshes with the purpose of National Wildlife Day, which takes place annually on Sept. 4 to  encourage better awareness of the species that live locally and around the world.

“Tortoises are especially sensitive to human and environmental pressures. Some populations, primarily around urban developments, have experienced declines,” said Jessie Dwyer, biodiversity manager at the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy.

“Understanding how our Sonoran Desert Tortoise population is doing helps us direct our resources where they are most needed. For example, if we identify a factor that impedes tortoise movement throughout the preserve, we can implement management actions to increase connectivity and reduce the impact of the barrier on the tortoise population.”

 Sonoran Desert Tortoises are considered a keystone species of the Sonoran Desert, according to a conservancy release, meaning they are essential to the functioning of the ecosystem.

For example, many desert species rely on the burrows that tortoises dig for shelter.

“Tortoises are long-lived species, since they mature slowly and can live up to 40-50 years in the wild,” the release stated. “Because tortoises take so long to recover from a decline, it is essential to monitor Sonoran Desert Tortoises and identify factors impacting the population.”

The conservancy has been tracking 18 tortoises using radio telemetry since 2021. Beginning in 2022, GPS trackers were added to record their location every hour.

The trackers do not harm tortoises or impede their movements, the release stated, adding tracking their movements provides a better understanding of how the tortoises are using the preserve and what factors might affect their population.