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Gopher Tortoise Management

	To read the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan, click here.
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The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) has been regulated in Florida since 1972 and has been fully protected since 1988. Despite the afforded protection, gopher tortoise populations throughout the state continue to decline. As a response to the continuing decline of the species, a new management plan was drafted and approved in 2007 as a precursor to reclassifying the gopher tortoise from a "species of special concern" to a "threatened species." The threatened status was approved and went into affect on November 8, 2007.

The goal of the gopher tortoise management plan is to progressively decrease the rate of decline of the gopher tortoise to allow for the species to be relisted as a "species of special concern" and eventually an unlisted, managed species. In order to achieve this goal, the management plan outlines measurable conservation objectives to restore and maintain secure viable populations of gopher tortoises throughout the species current range in Florida.

Objectives of the gopher tortoise management plan:

• Optimize gopher tortoise carrying capacity by appropriate habitat management on protected lands
• Increase protected gopher tortoise habitat
• Restock gopher tortoises to protected, managed, suitable habitats where they no longer occur or where densities are low
• Decrease gopher tortoise mortality on lands proposed for development

To achieve these objectives, a cooperative program partnering state, local, and private entities has been established across the state. Current efforts include restocking Florida's public and private lands.  If you own land with gopher tortoise habitat and would like to help us conserve this protected wildlife species, you may consider permitting your property as a gopher tortoise recipient site.