Negev Tortoise

The Negev desert tortoise is one of Israel’s most remarkable yet most threatened reptiles. Since 2002, the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo has been actively involved in protecting this unique species through captive breeding, scientific research, and conservation initiatives.With support from the Prof. Aharon Shulov Fund, established in honor of the zoo’s founder, a breeding population of Negev desert tortoises was created at the zoo under the leadership of Aliza Roman, former head keeper of the Small Animals Building exhibit. After a slow beginning - as might be expected with tortoises - the project achieved a breakthrough, with 26 healthy hatchlings successfully born and raised at the zoo.The following year, the Shulov Fund once again supported the project by funding a field research scholarship to assess the status of desert tortoises in the wild. At the time, information on the species’ biology and distribution in Israel was outdated, making an updated survey essential for future conservation efforts. The survey was carried out during the winters and springs of 2004–2005 by reptile expert Boaz Shaham. Researchers documented not only living tortoises but also tracks and other signs of activity that revealed the species’ presence.Six sandy habitats in the western Negev were surveyed:

Mash'abim Nature Reserve

Agur

Shunra

Nahal Secher

Tze'elim

Nitzana

Each site presented different environmental conditions and human impacts, helping researchers identify the greatest threats facing the species. As expected, the largest number of tortoise observations came from Mash'abim Nature Reserve, one of the least disturbed natural areas in the western Negev.In contrast, Nitzana yielded no evidence of living tortoises - only remains. Over the years, natural habitat there has been transformed into agricultural land and new settlements. These changes have brought an increase in human-associated predators such as crows, foxes, and dogs, which prey on tortoise eggs, hatchlings, and possibly even adult tortoises. These predators are not naturally abundant in desert habitats but are attracted by human activity and waste. Historically, the desert tortoise’s main predator was the gray monitor lizard. However, because monitor lizards are primarily active during the summer while desert tortoises spend much of that season in dormancy, encounters between the two species are relatively rare and do not pose a significant threat to the population.Another major challenge identified by the survey was the growing use of off-road vehicles. Very few signs of tortoise activity were found in the Tze'elim sands, where military vehicles operate extensively, or in the Agur and Shunra sands, which are popular destinations for recreational off-road driving. Vehicle traffic damages fragile desert habitats and can destroy burrows, nests, and tortoises themselves.Following the successful breeding program and field survey, the Biblical Zoo and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority launched a pilot project to reintroduce captive-bred tortoises into their natural habitat. Although this initial attempt was unsuccessful, the experience provided valuable knowledge for future conservation efforts.Today, the Biblical Zoo continues to play an important role in protecting the Negev desert tortoise through captive breeding, scientific research, and collaboration with conservation partners. The species is also maintained in several other zoos and at the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve, ensuring the survival of a healthy captive population that may one day help reinforce wild populations.

How You Can Help:  If you encounter a desert tortoise while exploring the Negev, take a moment to admire this extraordinary survivor - but please do not pick it up or disturb it. Allow it to continue on its way undisturbed. By simply respecting its natural behavior and fragile habitat, each of us can contribute to the conservation of a species that is disappearing from the Israeli landscape at an alarming rate.

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