Oakland Nature Preserve releases gopher tortoises

Oakland Nature Preserve recently released three captive educational ambassador gopher tortoises.

The gopher tortoises originally were relocated from construction sites and given to the preserve as an educational resource. After the tortoises reached maturity and tried to escape the enclosure multiple times, the preserve worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on a plan to release them. 

After rehab work with the tortoises and approval from the FWC, the enclosure the tortoises resided in for the past four years was disassembled, giving them free range of the preserve. For more, call (407) 905-0054.