neilg
New member
first of all, how do Americans and others visiting Florida NOT know how to tell the difference between a land-dwelling tortoise and a sea-dwelling turtle?
secondly, why are these potential endangered species KILLERS being described as 'good intentioned samaritans' when their naivety is only driving this endangered species in FL only further toward extinction?
status:
http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/gophertortoise/gopher_tortoise_fact_sheet.html
'Gopher tortoises are currently protected by federal law under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in the Alabama counties west of the Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers and in Mississippi and Louisiana. The eastern portion of the gopher tortoise’s range includes Alabama (east of the Tombigbee and Mobile Rivers), Florida, Georgia, and southern South Carolina. In these areas, the gopher tortoise is now a candidate species for possible listing later under the ESA.'
drowners deemed samaritans:
http://mashable.com/2015/04/07/turtle-tortoise-florida-mixup/
'People are drowning tortoises after confusing them with sea turtles. ... "helpful" samaritans that accidentally mistook a gopher tortoise for a sea turtle, releasing them into the ocean'
intentional killing, but too insane to prosecute:
http://www.winknews.com/2015/04/02/girl-arrested-in-tortoise-torture-incompetent-to-stand-trial/
'Northeast Florida teen charged with animal cruelty after posting videos of her and a friend setting fire to a legally protected gopher tortoise has been deemed not mentally competent to go on trial.