Coyotes threaten endangered tortoises

BARSTOW, Calif., May 11 (UPI) -- Hundreds of tortoises protected under state and federal endangered species law are being threatened by California's coyote population, scientists say.

Biologists monitoring the endangered animals say that since 760 of the animals were moved into unoccupied public lands by the U.S. Army, at least 14 of the animals have been killed by coyotes, the Los Angeles Times said Sunday.

In addition, 14 resident tortoises in the Mojave Desert have been killed and eaten by the animal predators.

Army officials said another 15 baby tortoises that were part of the 2001 relocation project have died of various other causes.

"The deed is done, and now we are watching the aftermath," biologist Ilene Anderson said of the relocation effort from Fort Irwin. "It's a disaster. We've lost so many tortoises -- the California state reptile and a species that has taken a nose dive over the past 20 years -- so early on in the project."

Military officials have proposed the use of animal control sharpshooters to kill any coyotes in the area, the newspaper said.