Bolson tortoises coming to Sevilleta Wildlife Refuge

SEVILLETA — The largest and rarest of the six North American tortoise species, the Bolson tortoise, may once have lived throughout most of the Chihuahuan desert, but its current range is restricted to a small area in north central Mexico.

To bolster the population of this critically endangered species, Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, located just south of Valencia County, has been selected by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to receive a group of these tortoises starting in 2024.

How will they do this? What problems must they solve? How will they know when they are successful?

Learn the answers to these and other questions from Dr. Chris Wiese, who is the senior biologist with the Turner Endangered Species Fund and leader of the successful Bolson Tortoise Project on the Armendaris and Ladder Ranches near Truth or Consequences.

Dr. Wiese is one of the leading authorities on Bolson tortoises, having worked with them for the past 16 years. She will speak at the annual meeting of the Amigos de la Sevilleta from 2-4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Sevilleta Visitors Center. Refreshments provided.