Why Desert Tortoises Are Endangered
My family visited some of my favorite places this weekend. We saw incredible hanging gardens on red rock cliffs (fantastic varieties of columbine and penstemon hugging water seeps), Indian petroglyphs, abandoned mines, perfect dinosaur tracks (some running left-right-left-right for 30 or 40 yards), and lots of wildlife.
We watched a mature desert tortoise rumble across an open flat. Open that is, except for 2 large rocks about a foot apart from each other. Though all other directions were clear, the tortoise veered for the rocks, walked between them, and -- you guessed it -- got stuck. It shifted into 4-wheel drive and started plowing at the dirt. This only created a depression for one of the rocks to roll into, further pinching the turtle.
"Daddy, save the turtle."
While I explained the finer distinctions of what it means to "take" an animal under the Endangered Species Act and how stripes make me look fat, the turtle managed to work himself free. My children call him "Field Goal" and say that he likes apples. ;-)
We watched a mature desert tortoise rumble across an open flat. Open that is, except for 2 large rocks about a foot apart from each other. Though all other directions were clear, the tortoise veered for the rocks, walked between them, and -- you guessed it -- got stuck. It shifted into 4-wheel drive and started plowing at the dirt. This only created a depression for one of the rocks to roll into, further pinching the turtle.
"Daddy, save the turtle."
While I explained the finer distinctions of what it means to "take" an animal under the Endangered Species Act and how stripes make me look fat, the turtle managed to work himself free. My children call him "Field Goal" and say that he likes apples. ;-)
posted by steve u. at 5/29/2006
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3 Comments:
Come on Steve! When are you going fess up to your daughter and tell her that we Republicans could give a rat's ass about the stupid turtles?
Vern, you got me again: Republicans very bad -- even on a simple family hike. In the future, please consider phrasing such as "a turtle's cloaca."
agreed
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