LAKELAND, Florida, 12/28/11 --
Some gopher tortoises are causing some big problems for the Polk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
According to Bay News 9's partner paper, the Ledger, the organization has hit a roadblock in a major expansion effort for their shelter's medical center - because of gopher tortoises.
The threatened species, which is federally protected, is nesting in the area that the organization wants to use to build.
As a result, the $727,000 project, which includes additional parking, a retention pond, an upgrade to the septic sewer system and a planned dog park, is on hold.
So far dozens have been relocated, but more tortoises still need to get new homes.
The gopher tortoise became a federally protected species after development led to a loss of habitat, which in turn caused their numbers to sharply decline. As a result, the protections were tightened in 2008.
Some gopher tortoises are causing some big problems for the Polk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
According to Bay News 9's partner paper, the Ledger, the organization has hit a roadblock in a major expansion effort for their shelter's medical center - because of gopher tortoises.
The threatened species, which is federally protected, is nesting in the area that the organization wants to use to build.
As a result, the $727,000 project, which includes additional parking, a retention pond, an upgrade to the septic sewer system and a planned dog park, is on hold.
So far dozens have been relocated, but more tortoises still need to get new homes.
The gopher tortoise became a federally protected species after development led to a loss of habitat, which in turn caused their numbers to sharply decline. As a result, the protections were tightened in 2008.
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