Desert tortoise that was part of research project fatally shot; information sought on killing

8/30/2014

PHOENIX — State officials say they could use help from the public in determining who shot and killed a desert tortoise, a member of a protected species and part of a long-term research project.

The Game and Fish Department says the tortoise was killed near the Beeline Highway about 15 miles north of Fountain Hills on the northeastern fringe of the Phoenix area.

The tortoise was part of a research effort..

It was found dead on Aug. 25, but investigators believe it was killed several days earlier.

The tortoise was the second of 15 tortoises to have a transmitter affixed and had been tracked since 2010.