Earlier this year, scientists described a new species – Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise (Gopherus evgoodei) – discovered in the Sinaloan Thornscrub Forests of Mexico. Scientists consider the new species to be at grave risk of extinction due to threats of habitat loss and lack of protection.

Rainforest Trust and the Turtle Conservancy acted promptly to assist in the purchase and protection of the surviving population stronghold of the Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise. An area of 1,000 acres of thornscrub habitat was purchased near Alamos by Mexican partner Naturaleza y Cultura Sierra Madre. The new reserve also protects many other threatened and charismatic species, such as Military Macaws, Black-throated Magpie-jays, Jaguars and Northern Casque-headed Frogs.

The new Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise Reserve is in close proximity to the existing Reserva Monte Mojino so that a larger conservation landscape will be protected for the tortoise.

Rainforest Trust would like to thank the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation, Global Wildlife Conservation, Naturaleza y Cultura Sierra Madre and the Turtle Conservancy for their collaboration on this project.

Header photo: Goode’s Thornscrub Tortoise is considered to be at grave risk of extinction by scientists involved in the discovery Photo by Taylor Edwards.