Gopher Tortoise rehabbers in Florida?

Turtlepete · Apr 22, 2015

Is anyone in South Florida familiar with rehabbers that work with gopher tortoises? About a week ago I was left with an adult female gopher tortoise that someone claimed to have found in urban Davie. I contacted Fish and Wildlife immediately and was then told to contact a wildlife rehabber. I then proceeded to contact damn near every wildlife rehabber in the state of Florida and absolutely none claim to work with gopher tortoises.
The animal obviously needs a health evaluation and testing to ensure it is not carrying harmful bacteria/virus that could be transmitted to an otherwise healthy population, but short of taking samples to the University of Florida myself, I have no means of doing so. I know of a healthy population four hours north of here with a reproductive population (evidenced by hatchling and yearlings found wild on the property, dozens of burrows and a group of healthy adults) that I have considered releasing it too, but again, this is a dangerous gamble without giving the animal a health evaluation.

I'm pretty frustrated at this point.

tortadise · Apr 22, 2015

Ah crap. I've gone blank. There's a wildlife center that I had a lot of contact with years back that rehabs them. Lemme try and remember the place it's been years.

tortadise · Apr 22, 2015

Can at least start from here. http://m.myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/assistnuisance-wildlife/wildlife-rehabbers/

Turtlepete · Apr 22, 2015

South Florida Wildlife Care Center? They are one of the more reputable and well-known of Florida rehabbers. I just contacted them and was directed to simply release the tortoise if I did not see any external injury…..

The fact that it's history and health is completely unknown seemed to be completely lost on them. They pretty much just told me "they kind of like a woody area, just let it go somewhere like that"…..

When I contacted Fish and Wildlife, I was put in contact with a biologist who pretty much just keeps sending me links of rehabbers that are either no longer active or unwilling to take it.

I'm probably going to end up just having to release it. I consider this a rather dangerous option, but I really have no other option if no rehabbers will accept it. I have no idea where it came from originally. I'm curious if it would be better to release it down here in South Florida, where it most likely came from, or if it would matter being several hours north? I certainly consider central Fl, a little further north, a much better area, since up there, there are populations that don't have development within 2 miles of them. Down here, we have a couple scattered pockets that are being slowly encroached by development.

newCH · Apr 22, 2015

Aren't there areas where gopher tortoises live that are protected
areas ? I remember a few years ago a lady telling me about an area
in S.Fl. that commercial business couldnt buy the land because of gopher tortoises......

Yvonne G · Apr 22, 2015

I feel your pain, Pete. At least you're trying to do the right thing.

Greg ( @ALDABRAMAN ) has spoken before about the gopher tortoises around his property. I wonder if he knows a rehabber you can contact.

vocalisa · Apr 22, 2015

Last week while we were on vacation in Kissimmee, we came across a gopher tortoise pounding down the sidewalk next to a busy 4-lane road through what appeared to be a suburban neighborhood.

CharlieM · Apr 22, 2015

Maybe @cdmay or @allegraf can help. Or call Kennan?

allegraf · Apr 23, 2015

I'm not sure if Busch Wildlife in Jupiter rehabs them as such, but I know they take in injured animals and release them back. Not sure what their policy on gophers are though.

ZEROPILOT · Apr 23, 2015

Contact Fern Forest park and nature center in Lauderhill (I think) Maybe Different city. It's close to the turnpike and Atlantic Ave.
They have Florida Gopher orphans and rescues there.

Maggie Cummings · Apr 26, 2015

Turtlepete said:
South Florida Wildlife Care Center? They are one of the more reputable and well-known of Florida rehabbers. I just contacted them and was directed to simply release the tortoise if I did not see any external injury….. The fact that it's history and health is completely unknown seemed to be completely lost on them. They pretty much just told me "they kind of like a woody area, just let it go somewhere like that"…..

When I contacted Fish and Wildlife, I was put in contact with a biologist who pretty much just keeps sending me links of rehabbers that are either no longer active or unwilling to take it.

I'm probably going to end up just having to release it. I consider this a rather dangerous option, but I really have no other option if no rehabbers will accept it. I have no idea where it came from originally. I'm curious if it would be better to release it down here in South Florida, where it most likely came from, or if it would matter being several hours north? I certainly consider central Fl, a little further north, a much better area, since up there, there are populations that don't have development within 2 miles of them. Down here, we have a couple scattered pockets that are being slowly encroached by development.

I have done some work with Gopherus agassizii, so.....either send her to me in Oregon,

or take her up North of you like you mentioned. Less developement, better for the tort. I'd make sure she has a good drink first. That's just me, in FLA she probably doesn't need a drink.....good luck with her, hard decisions to be made....

and before someone jumps all over me...I KNOW she's not agassizii, but she's still Gopherus......gopher

Gopher Tortoise rehabbers in Florida?

Turtlepete

Well-Known Member

tortadise

Well-Known Member

tortadise

Well-Known Member

Turtlepete

Well-Known Member

newCH

Well-Known Member

Yvonne G

Old Timer

vocalisa

Member

CharlieM

Well-Known Member

allegraf

Well-Known Member

ZEROPILOT

REDFOOT WRANGLER

Maggie Cummings

Guest

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