Gopherus polyphemus Head-starting Project Moves Forward Through Collaborative Partnerships
The Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve is home to the fascinating Gopherus polyphemus, which is also the subject of an interesting project headed by University of Georgia�s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL), The Longleaf Alliance, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Gopherus polyphemus possesses endangered status in the state of North Carolina and this project is focused on headstarting hatchlings and releasing them into key areas in order to boost the local population. The University of Georgia�s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory collects eggs which are laid within the preserve and hatch them at their facility, after which they are raised until mature enough to be released into their native habitat. Tracking devices are also mounted on the hatchlings to collect valuable data about their movements and behaviors. In addition to head-starting hatchlings, the project also relocates tortoises that have been displaced from their previous home-range. An important aspect of this endeavor is maintaining and restoring the ecosystem to ensure the future vitality of the Gopherus polyphemus population.
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Photo from Dede Biles.
