Florida stops burying tortoises alive (soon) - October 15, 2007
Authorities in Florida are finally banning the burying alive of cute burrowing tortoises. State officials have previously granted permits to builders, allowing them to build over the burrows of gopher tortoises and callously ‘entomb’ them under concrete in their extensive lairs. No more! The state is no longer issuing permits allowing ‘entombment’ (Washington Post).
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission last month approved a new conservation plan, requiring that the threatened species be moved away from construction areas (press release). However, scores of permits already issued are to be honoured, according to the Post. “I don’t think anyone wanted to entomb tortoises. But we can’t stop development, and this was the best option at the time,” commission spokeswoman Joy Hill told the paper.
According to previous reporting of the topic, entombment has buried more than 94,000 tortoises since 1991, if state estimates are to be believed. Other estimates put the number as up to 900,000.
More on the animals
FWC ‘Species Spotlight’
Gopher Tortoise Council
National Geographic on entombing.
Drawing: U S Fish and Wildlife Service/Bob Savannah
