The State of Florida finally is banning developers from burying gopher tortoises alive - yes, you are reading this right, developers could obtain a permit to legally bury live animals during construction under concrete rather than relocating them during the construction process.
This practice has caused the death of an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 gopher tortoises over the last 16 years the permitting system was in place. The most disturbing thing about this practice is that these animals don't just die once buried, after all, they do spend a big part of their lives underground. What actually happens is that the tortoises tunnels and escape routes are being crushed and compacted during construction, they won't be able to dig themselves out, and thus will suffocate or die of starvation. As if that was not enough, the slow metabolism of these animals cause them to die a very slow death!
Did I mention how horrified I was when I first learned of this? The happier I am that this practice will soon no longer be permitted - and not soon enough! This new policy will not take effect until July 30, unfortunately, any permits granted before then will be grandfathered in so the slaughter of helpless creatures in the name of growth is not stopped completely.
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