URBAN BESTIARY

I am privileged to care for 12 different animals, nine of which are California desert tortoises. I understand why Jordan would not include these--they are not considered wild things living among us. But you’d be surprised at how many people think tortoises can fend for themselves. Many are left out in yards with no shelter. Many tortoises are left behind when their owners move. Probably 80% do not receive the nutrition they need because people think “all they eat is lettuce.” Often, when left to roam free, they are hit by cars or, worse yet, they sometimes are eaten by dogs and other animals.

The most common comment is that they come from the desert where it’s hot during the day and freezing at night so tortoises must like it that way. We often find people taking their tortoises back to the desert in a gesture of kindness. I would attempt to educate these people as to the fact that a domesticated tortoise cannot make it in the desert any more than a dog could make it in the forest. I know that people also drop off dogs to fend for themslves.

ROBIN PUGLIESE, Redondo Beach