Gopher Tortoise Day: 9 ways to help protect the threatened species

Sarah Wilson
·2 min read

Monday is Gopher Tortoise Day.

To celebrate, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials are encouraging Floridians to help with conservation efforts for the threatened species every day.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

FWC says residents can get involved with conservation of gopher tortoises in several ways:

1. If a tortoise appears healthy and is not in immediate danger, leaving the tortoise alone is usually the best option.

2. If you see a gopher tortoise crossing a road and it is safe for you to do so, you may pick it up and place it in a safe location along the roadside in the direction it was heading.

Read: Florida offers payments, assistance for landowners to help with gopher tortoise conservation

3. Never put tortoises in water, as gopher tortoises can’t swim like turtles can.

4. Consider making your home and neighborhood gopher tortoise friendly by planting gopher tortoise friendly plants, creating a “Gopher Tortoise Friendly Yard” or, where appropriate, placing tortoise road crossing signs.

5. Learn more about living alongside tortoises at the FWC’s Gopher Tortoise Program Education Corner and Education Resources Page.

Read: Bats, bears & manatees, oh my: How to enjoy, help conserve Florida wildlife this spring

6. Consider volunteering with the FWC on gopher tortoise conservation efforts.

7. Plan a Gopher Tortoise Day event, such as an educational activity, a local proclamation signing, a volunteer day or a wildlife appreciation festival.

8. Report sightings of gopher tortoises and their burrows or notify the FWC of a sick, injured or dead tortoise.

9. Remember that gopher tortoises are a protected species. It is illegal to harm a gopher tortoise, its eggs or its burrow, to relocate without a permit, or to possess a tortoise, its eggs, or any parts of a tortoise. Report wildlife violations to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).

North Atlantic right whale.
North Atlantic right whale.
Porcia (#3293) and her calf were spotted southeast of Ossawbaw Island, Georgia on December 17, 2022. Portia is at least 26 years old and this is her third known calf.
Porcia (#3293) and her calf were spotted southeast of Ossawbaw Island, Georgia on December 17, 2022. Portia is at least 26 years old and this is her third known calf.
North Atlantic right whale.
North Atlantic right whale.
The first two right whale mother-calf pairs were spotted off the coast of Georgia this week.
The first two right whale mother-calf pairs were spotted off the coast of Georgia this week.
A proposal to protect an endangered whale species could impact ships sailing in and out of Port Canaveral.
A proposal to protect an endangered whale species could impact ships sailing in and out of Port Canaveral.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.
Kemp’s ridley sea turtle.
Kemp's ridley sea turtle
Kemp's ridley sea turtle
Kemp's ridley sea turtle.
Kemp's ridley sea turtle.
Leatherback sea turtle.
Leatherback sea turtle.
Everglade snail kite.
Everglade snail kite.
Key deer
Key deer
Key deer
Key deer
Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow.
Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow.
Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow.
Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow.
Florida bonneted bat.
Florida bonneted bat.
Florida bonneted bat
Florida bonneted bat
Florida panther
Florida panther
Florida panther
Florida panther
Florida panther
Florida panther
Florida panther
Florida panther

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.