Desert Tortoise Officially Listed as Endangered in California

As of June 12, 2025, the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii), listed as “threatened” in California since 1989, has been uplisted to “endangered” under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). The California Fish and Game Commission formalized the decision based on current scientific data and after years of advocacy by the Desert Tortoise Preserve Committee, the Desert Tortoise Council, and Defenders of Wildlife, who together petitioned the Commission for the uplisting in March 2020.

Being in danger of extinction is never good, of course, but endangered status under CESA has significant advantages for tortoise conservation. Access to conservation funding is always competitive; basically, when you’re endangered, you move closer to the head of the line. That means a better chance for government grant money for things like land acquisition and habitat restoration. And it’s not just about government help; endangered status also means more public attention, which can lead to more individuals, organizations, and businesses wanting to do their part. So yes, this is actually great news.