After further evaluation and public hearings, the tortoise was permanently listed as threatened on April 2, 1990. Taking of individuals for pets and other forms of collection. Also, some anirnals have been killed outright or their shells mutilated in acts of vandalism. Excessive predation of juveniles by other species such as coyotes, foxes and ravens. More recently a respiratory disease has been found in some tortoise populations, and it is suspected the disease may have been introduced by infected tortoise pets whose owners have returned them to the wild.
Violations are punishable by a fine and jail term.
The law requires Federal agencies to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service if a proposed project they plan to authorize, fund or carry out may affect the species. The Section 7 consultation process evaluates the impacts of the proposed action and determines whether the proposed action might jeopardize the continued existence of the species. It is under this provision that the tortoises in The Desert Tortoise Conservation Center have been obtained. The tortoises in this Center have been brought to this location under a joint research permit held by the Bureau of Land Management, the Nevada Department of Wildlife and The Nature Conservancy. The Las Vegas District of the Bureau of Land Management includes about 7 milion acres of public lands in Clark County and parts of Lincoln and Nye counties.