What in the World is a Waif Gopher Tortoise?
Photo Credit: Chad Lyman, Preserve Manager
In Florida, the gopher tortoise is revered by residents and protected by law. As a keystone species, these tortoises provide extensive burrows that shelter many different animals from heat and wildfire including the Eastern indigo snake, and the Florida mouse. Property development where gopher tortoises burrow requires tortoise relocation to designated wildlife refuge sites by permitted state licensed agents.
If you happen to be reviewing the 156 pages of the Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Permitting Guidelines (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), in Appendix 14 you will find that a “waif” gopher tortoise is a tortoise that has been removed from the wild but is not associated with a relocation permit and is generally from an unknown location. For instance, a tortoise placed in a vehicle to rescue it from a roadway might be considered a waif tortoise. A tortoise that is injured and taken to a vet or wildlife rehabilitator would probably be considered a waif tortoise. Property of 5 acres or more of contiguous suitable upland gopher tortoise habitat may become a waif gopher tortoise recipient site with state approval. Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve is working to become such a recipient site.
On May 15, state biologists and gopher tortoise experts paid a pre-application visit to the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve to evaluate its suitability to house waif gopher tortoises. Vegetative matter, soil content and distance above the water table were assessed and found to be favorable conditions for tortoises. The Preserve has had gopher tortoises in the past. They were relocated during the renovation of the pond banks as there was heavy machinery on site. But they didn’t go far. A new site was selected near Duckweed Pond. In recent years volunteers haven’t spotted tortoises in that area.
Hosting a waif tortoise or possibly two will require a specific permit from the Florida Wildlife Commission. Waifs considered for placement must show no visible signs of illness and not require human intervention for their survival. The FWC’s goal is to return gopher tortoises to the wild whenever possible to such a natural area as the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve.
A temporary pen of 1-2 acres must be constructed, using silt or wire fence buried in the ground 8” and extending 24” above the ground. It must be of sufficient “robustness” to prevent the tortoises pushing or climbing over. The tortoise will remain in the pen for a minimum of six months but not longer than 12 months. A “starter” burrow will be dug, further construction to be added by the tortoise. The area must have forage such as native broadleaf grasses, legumes (pea/bean family), asters, blackberries and other fruits, prickly pear cactus, and a variety of non-native grasses. Sunny areas and tree canopy for shade are important elements. When the fence is removed, hopefully the waif tortoise is content to stay in his or her new home. The only expense to the project will be the temporary fence. Watch the LBC Wish List for further information.
Article by Ann Weaver, a Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve Butterfly Habitat Volunteer and local advocate for all Gopher Tortoises.
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