Florida - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is encouraging communities, organizations and individuals to celebrate Florida Gopher Tortoise Day, April 10, to help conserve the threatened species.
This year 7 counties - Alachua, Brevard, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Indian River and Sarasota - and the cities of Cape Coral, Flagler Beach, Melbourne, North Port and Venice are adopting Forida Gopher Tortoise Day resolutions.
Gopher tortoises are active in spring and may be seen more often in April and May. Look for tortoises and their half-moon shaped burrow entrances in yards, neighborhoods, along roadways and on many of the state’s private and public lands.
“If you see a gopher tortoise crossing a road, pick it up and place it on the roadside in the direction it was heading, but only if it is safe for you to do so,” Burr said. “Remember, the gopher tortoise is a land animal, so never put it into water. And don’t forget it is illegal to harm a gopher tortoise, its eggs or its burrow.”
Gopher tortoises are found in all 67 Florida counties, but need plenty of sandy, sunny habitats with an open tree canopy to thrive and survive. The FWC’s Wildlife Management Area system, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, provides habitat for gopher tortoises. Local governments and private landowners, including farmers, foresters and ranchers, also work with the FWC to help conserve and restore gopher tortoise habitat.
For more information about how to celebrate Florida Gopher Tortoise Day and how to help with gopher tortoise conservation visit GopherTortoiseDayFL.com.
Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.
