ENGLE, N.M. (AP) — While the average lifespan of North America's largest and most rare tortoise species is unknown, biologists have said it could span upward of a century. The “safe harbor agreement” will facilitate the release of captive tortoises on the Armendaris Ranch to establish a free-ranging population. The tortoise is just the latest example of a growing effort to find new homes for endangered species as climate change and other threats push them from their historic habitats. Absent a willingness by wildlife managers to think more broadly, he said, species like the Bolson tortoise could have a bleak future. That work will include getting state and federal permits to release tortoises outside of the enclosures on Turner lands.

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Persons: ENGLE, Ted Turner's, Martha Williams, Shawn Sartorius, ” Sartorius, It's, it's, Mike Phillips, Phillips, ”, can’t, ” Phillips Organizations: Fund, Fish, Wildlife Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Turner, Species Fund, Southwestern, U.S . Fish, Wildlife Locations: N.M, America's, New Mexico, U.S, Southwest, Mexico, United States, Texas, Oklahoma, Southwestern U.S, Carlsbad, Turner