Save the Negev Desert Tortoise!

Dear Desert Tortoise Supporters,

Since we last reported to you, our one viable desert tortoise egg hatched successfully! A small victory for the conservation of this critically endangered species.

We have not had any further eggs laid in the breeding center but we continue to hope for the best.

Captive breeding for desert tortoises requires greater care than in other tortoise species, as the species is more delicate and the clutch is very small. Fortunately, we have a very experienced zoological team who are doing their best for these, the smallest species of tortoise in the northern hemisphere.

Yours, in hope -

Team Tortoise at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo

Dear Desert Tortoise Supporters,

In our last report, we told you that we were waiting for the three Desert Tortoise eggs in our incubators to hatch. Since then, we have discovered that two of the three eggs were not fertile. We are unsure whether the third will hatch successfully.

Conservation programs can be exceedingly challenging and frustrating. In many cases it is one step forward and two steps back. However, we will not give up and continue to hope for more breeding success for this critically endangered species.

Captive breeding for desert tortoises requires greater care than in other tortoise species, as the species is more delicate and the clutch is very small. Fortunately, we have a very experienced zoological team who are doing their best for these, the smallest species of tortoise in the northern hemisphere.

Yours, in hope -

Team Tortoise at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo