Beginner Guide for Gopher Tortoise Relocation

Gopher tortoises are an essential keystone species in Florida. Their burrows give shelter to more than 350 additional species. They are classified as an endangered species and are confined under Florida law. In recent years, the turndown of the gopher tortoise (Gopherus Polyphemus Daudin) in retort to human violation has been a matter of concern for biologists. Therefore Relocation is a technique that is presently being used to protect tortoises on land being developed. Earlier relocations have usually been disappointingly recognised and the value of Gopher Tortoise Relocation for tortoise protection is indistinct. However, Gopher tortoise trapping and translocations should be completed following appropriate permitting authority and rule from the right regulatory agency.

Tortoises should translocate when the low temperature at the recipient site is forecasted by the National Weather Service to be above 50˚ Fahrenheit for three successive days after release consisting the day of translocation). This three-day window of milder overnight temperatures is necessary to let the tortoises settle into the recipient site and drop off the possibility of cold-related stress or transience. These circumstances usually correspond with dates among April 1 and October 15 during most of the species’ range. Moreover, during summer months, releases must not be ready during the hottest part of the day at sites where the shadow is inadequate. High-temperature pressure on gopher tortoises being captured and elated for translocation can be condensed or impassive. While doing Gopher Tortoise Relocation, if any tortoises injured or killed during capture, managing or transfer must be reported to the proper regulatory group instantaneously.

Tortoises may be captured using bucket traps, cage traps, hand-capture outside burrows, and dig by hand shovel or backhoe. Capturing gopher tortoises with mechanical excavation (backhoe) is frequently ideal because it usually is quicker than additional capture techniques and often leads to lower costs. However, it comes with an augmented level of threat to the tortoises. Backhoe excavation of gopher tortoise burrows should be conducted by at least two individuals at all times; the backhoe operative and an additional individual on the ground examining the gopher tortoise burrow. All other capture processes can be executed by one person but may take weeks to complete Gopher Tortoise Relocation if the tortoise does not directly go into the trap.

If you want to reduce the risk of disease transmission, all objects used during the trapping and managing of gopher tortoises from the original place like traps, shovels, burrow cameras and many more should be sanitized with a dilute chlorine solution before moving to the next site or recipient site. A 1:20 dilution of 5-6% domestic bleach is a suggested disinfection solution and can be formed after one week. To avoid injury to tortoises through backhoe excavation, the backhoe bucket should have a smooth cutting edge that not has teeth (long prongs). It is recommended that burrow excavations be completed by a backhoe operator with earlier experience or guidance in excavating gopher tortoise burrows.