Wildlife Works conducted a state-compliant gopher tortoise removal and relocation project to facilitate the construction of an access road supporting a filtration system along the Rainbow River. The system is designed to remove excess detritus from the river’s bottom as part of an ongoing aquatic restoration effort.
Five active burrows were identified within the proposed construction path. Four gopher tortoises were successfully excavated and relocated to an approved recipient site in accordance with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations. The entire removal and relocation process was completed in one day.
Multiple active burrows within the direct footprint of the access road
Coordination with an environmental restoration timeline
Ensuring no burrows were overlooked within the project boundary
Maintaining compliance with FWC permitting and recipient site requirements
Each burrow was carefully inspected and mapped before excavation began.
Our team conducted a site survey to identify all gopher tortoise burrows within the construction limits. Five burrows were confirmed as active.
Using approved excavation methods:
Burrows were carefully opened
Four tortoises were safely located and captured
Each tortoise was evaluated and prepared for transport
Relocation was completed at a pre-approved recipient site
All work was performed in compliance with Florida’s gopher tortoise relocation guidelines.
The removal and relocation phase was completed within a single workday, allowing the access road project to proceed on schedule.
5 burrows addressed
4 gopher tortoises successfully relocated
Full regulatory compliance maintained
Construction timeline preserved
Environmental restoration efforts allowed to proceed
Rainbow River, Central FloridaThe project demonstrates how infrastructure improvement and wildlife conservation can be aligned through proper planning and professional wildlife management.
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