Gopher Tortoises
Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) and their burrows are protected on Sanibel. Tortoise burrows can be found on almost any upland area on the island, although the largest concentrations of tortoises are now on conservation lands.
Statewide, however, gopher tortoise numbers are declining. Estimates indicate a decline of about 60-80 percent in the last century, generally due to reduced habitat from increasing development. Listed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as a “species of special concern” since 1979, the species’ status was reclassified to “threatened” in September 2007. Simultaneously, the Commission approved a Gopher Tortoise Management Plan, designed to restore and maintain secure, viable populations throughout the species’ current range in Florida. The management plan will provide direction concerning permitting, law enforcement, research, habitat protection and habitat management.
As one of the first steps in implementing the Gopher Tortoise Management Plan, new Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines were adopted by the Commission in April 2008. In accordance with these guidelines, the City requires that all Development Permit applications include:
- Identification and location of wildlife habitats of gopher tortoises.
- A plan to preserve a portion of any existing indigenous wildlife habitat or to provide evidence of additional sanctuary area on or off the property to mitigate unavoidable destruction.
- Verification that gopher tortoises have been protected on the site or have been removed from the proposed area of construction by a city authorized handler according to a plan approved by the city.
Click here to learn more about relocating gopher tortoises on Sanibel.