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Me again.... I am burned out at work, so I decided to go turtle hunting....
I found this statement from 2001:
This [northwest quadrant] area was historically utilized as an unauthorized gopher tortoise relocation area in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s by UCF professors. It is apparent from the large number of abandoned burrows and by documented research of the past relocations that this site is not ideal habitat for gopher tortoises. Its lack of management and close proximity to a busy intersection appears to have contributed to this fact.
Take THAT, Sierra Club! (Nothing against conservation or environmental groups at ALL, but these animals are not native to that habitat and have not thrived in that habitat. Anyone who is concerned for the welfare of these animals should collect them and find an appropriate location)
So it appears I was wrong about the turtle rumor. I apologize. I sat through many student senate meetings in the 90's and this topic came up frequently and was debated strongly.
However, if by the early 90's this relocation practice ceased and the animals were not thriving, the environmentalists should have practiced due diligence for a more appropriate breeding and sustaining environment, either on campus or off. Keeping them in an unfriendly environment is nothing short of animal cruelty and cutting off the natural growth and progress of the Univerity of Central Florida. With the abundant wetlands in the Central Florida area, the tortises would be better served in a more hospitable environment. Shame on those 1980's UCF professors for their hasty relocation of these animals.
I <3 Gopher Tortises.
ADPiUCF
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