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Tortoises Move Out So Dogs, Cats Can Move In

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By SHERRI LONON

In The Loop

Published: December 27, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - When eviction notices go out, recipients normally aren't treated to a free relocation service complete with a guaranteed new home. But, then again, most recipients aren't gopher tortoises.

Pasco County Animal Services has begun the relocation process for a few of the threatened tortoises that have called the front lawn of the 19640 Dog Patch Lane facility their home for quite some time. The critters have to be moved to make way for new digs for incoming cats and dogs.

The county has plans to build a new adoption center and surgical facility on the site in 2009, said John Malley, assistant manager of animal services. Before a single shovel of dirt can be turned, the turtles that have made burrows in the construction perimeter have to be trapped and moved to a new location.

"Construction is not going to happen until we take care of it," Malley said.

Enter Michael Czerwinski. The licensed geologist and professional wetland scientist from Lecanto has been hired to trap the tortoises and make sure they are relocated to an approved site for safety's sake.

Czerwinski said trapping gopher tortoises in the winter months can be tricky business.

The law requires that the creatures only be actively trapped on warmer days. Two consecutive days of 50 degree or above temperatures are required.

"It's problematic to do this kind of work in the wintertime," he said.

Czerwinski found a window of opportunity recently and was out on the Lake Patience Road site setting bucket traps. He was successful in capturing one of the estimated three tortoises using a method called pulling before he left the traps in animal service's hands to monitor. Pulling involves the use of a specialized hook to physically remove the tortoises from their burrows.

"Pulling tends to be less stressful," Czerwinski said.
Gopher tortoises are listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a threatened species. The habitat for this type of turtle is restricted to the southern states. Gopher tortoises are distinguished by their dark brown to gray-black coloration, their shovellike front feet and their elephantine hind feet.

Although several tortoises have to be removed from the site, Malley said those that live outside the construction zone will be free to call animal services' property home.

Construction on the new building is in the bidding phase. Plans call for work to begin sometime next year. No timetable or estimated cost is available.

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