The Naples Preserve in the city of Naples FL is a little wildlife refuge right in the middle of town. Its primary purpose is the conservation of Gopher Tortoises, which are an endangered species in Florida. Here are some photos from an afternoon in the Preserve.
The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what's going on around you. What's the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or peahens in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like lots of photos. :)
Back in 2007, a population of Gopher Tortoises was discovered in a plot of undeveloped land that was scheduled for clearing and construction. Since the Gopher Tortoise is a protected species, it was decided to remove the turtles from the area and relocate them to another location. The City of Naples purchased a plot of undeveloped land inside the city, about eight city blocks in area, and relocated a total of ten tortoises there. The entire area became a wildlife refuge. Since it was right in the middle of town, along two major roadways, the entire area was enclosed by a low fence to prevent the tortoises from being hit by cars.
Over the years, other people who found tortoises in their backyards or saw them crossing roads, brought them to the Preserve (an illegal act, by the way). At first the Preserve reluctantly took them in, and by 2010 there were about thirty adult tortoises in the enclosure. And of course the tortoises did what tortoises naturally do, so now there are an estimated 150 tortoises of all ages, from new hatchlings to ten-year-olds, as well as the original fullgrown adults. As the young tortoises reach adult breeding age, the Preserve will no longer be large enough to hold them all, so the preserve has stopped taking in any more “rescued” tortoises, and is already looking for places to put the tortoises as they mature.
And now it’s your turn—what’s burrowing in your neck of the woods? :)