Nevada continues installing tortoise tunnels to protect endangered desert species
NDOT completes 57 wildlife crossings across southern Nevada to reduce vehicle strikes
LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Nevada transportation officials have completed dozens of tunnels and what are called turnarounds, to protect the federally-protected Mojave desert tortoise population, which is declining in southern Nevada.
The Nevada Department of Transportation has built 57 crossings throughout southern Nevada, including 15 locations around Searchlight that were completed in March as part of federally funded road improvements.
Tortoise behavior drives crossing design
Mojave desert tortoises wander across roads while searching for food, water and mates, putting them in the path of vehicles.
“Coyote Springs section of the 93, we have significant numbers of tortoise kills by vehicles as they try to range across the road,” said Glen Church, a longtime tortoise biologist with NDOT.
The culverts serve dual purposes as erosion control during rainfall and safe passage for traveling tortoises. NDOT photos show tortoises using the tunnels to cross under roads safely.
Church said tortoises naturally explore underground spaces because they dig their own burrows.
“And obviously, they go into their own burrows. So they’re used to going into what they perceive as a hole in the ground. If they fit, they’ll go and explore it. And when they get out to the other side, they go, oh, there we go,” Church said.
Fencing guides tortoises to crossings
The crossings work in conjunction with fencing that guides tortoises away from roads. When tortoises encounter fencing near roadways, they follow it until reaching a culvert, which redirects them from a road to safety. These are called turnarounds.
Tortoises travel individually rather than in groups, Church said. They can detect water from long distances, which motivates some of their movement.
Expansion planned
NDOT has proposed 120 additional tortoise crossings to further boost the Mojave desert tortoise population. Current crossings are located north of Las Vegas, around Henderson and south of Henderson.
NDOT says photos and video evidence confirms tortoises are successfully using crossings at different locations.
“And when all that comes together and you see it utilized at the end of the day, that puts a smile on my face and makes me happy with what I’ve done for the day,” Church said.
Environmental crews participated in the construction process to avoid disturbing existing tortoise habitat.
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