Georgia wildlife officials say the state has reached a milestone in its push to protect gopher tortoises, even as some environmental groups say more needs to be done.

Gopher tortoises are protected under state law. It’s illegal to handle or even relocate the animals, with one exception. The Florida Wildlife Consercation Commission does grant special permission to ...

Boasting more than 80 distinct ecosystems, Florida is a biodiversity hot spot. In fact, more than 4,000 animal species are native to the Sunshine State. In the heat of summer, a growing number of ...

TCPalm environment reporter Timothy O'Hara heard about a proposed Indian River County housing development that could wipe out an unprecedented number of gopher tortoise burrows. Beyond compiling ...

Florida gopher tortoises are a threatened species and 365 others depend on their burrows. Florida development boom is leaving little room for the native land tortoises. Developers may have to relocate ...

Slow and steady wins the race, but unhurried preservation measures could lead to the Florida gopher tortoises’ demise. “They are these incredible ecosystem engineers,” said Elise Bennett, Florida and ...

ORLANDO, Fla. — A new specialty plate supporting Florida’s gopher tortoise is now available for purchase, and it is for a good cause. Wildlands Conservation unveiled the design of the gopher tortoise ...

Manatee County receives a 20% discount for its own projects that require gopher tortoise relocation. A developer pays market ...

A Vero Beach man, 28, was taken into custody July 31 on an active warrant for the unlawful taking of a gopher tortoise.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Though gopher tortoises have persisted for millions of years, they now face a barrage of threats from loss of habitat and developers with permits that allow the reptiles to be buried ...