• Finding an Authorized Gopher Tortoise Agent that is Qualified, Licensed, Insured and Experienced in tortoise conservation is essential to the development of sites that are affected by the presence of gopher tortoises. At Gopher Tortoise Services we place strong emphasis on both our client's needs and the conservation needs of the affected tortoises, while complying with federal, state and local wildlife regulations.
   
• Purchasing, developing, selling or simply altering land may trigger a series of federal, state or local environmental land-use rules and regulations that are often frustrating and time consuming for everyone involved. 

Most Frequently Requested Services we offer:

Early identification of protected species is key to option strategy and planning.
 

Accurately identifying and mapping tortoises and burrows is critical
 to properly addressing affected sites and existing populations in a cost effective timely manor.
 

Calculating the habitat value of a site under present and future conditions insures proper habitat and carrying capacity requirements are met, this is vital to species survival.
 

Avoidance and Relocation are the only approved methods of addressing the presence of tortoises on development sites, done properly both options meet and contribute to the long-term survival needs of the species. Commensal species that share tortoise burrows can also be moved.
 

Summery of FWC Regulations and Requirements

Gopher tortoise burrows are afforded the same legal protection by the FWC as gopher tortoises.

The FWC policy requires landowners to minimize impacts to gopher tortoises and gopher tortoise burrows by Avoidance or Relocating affected gopher tortoises prior to any site alterations.

The gopher tortoise management plan and permit guidelines limit gopher tortoise related activities to well qualified individuals that posses an Authorized Agent Permit issued by the FWC, the permit authorizes only those activities that the permit holder is well qualified to perform.

Given the presence of the gopher tortoise, several commensal species have a moderate potential for occurring on the project site including eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon corais), Florida mouse (Podomys floridanus), Florida pine snake (Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus), and gopher frog (Rana areolata). If these commensals are found on-site, the Authorized Agent may relocate these species as well.

The FWC requires that captured tortoises receive a health assessment, tortoises are weighed, sexed, measured and permanently marked this data is compiled into a final report to the FWC.

Captured tortoises can only be soft released to FWC approved donor sites, out of harms way and where sufficient measures are in place to restrict tortoises from returning to an area that may pose danger to them.